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AN 



HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE 

ACCOUNT OF THE TOWN 



AND 



PAROCHIAL CHAPELRY 



©ILIDIEIilDa 



IN THE COUNTY OF LANCASTER. 



IKCLUDIKG 

Some Biographical Sketches of remarfcablr Prisons, natives 
or residents thereof . together with 



BY J. BUTTERWORTH. 



OLDHAM: 

Printed and sold by J. Clarke, Market-place ; 

Sold also by 

Baldwin, Cradock, & Joy, 47, Paternoster-row, London; 

Messrs. Clarke, Manchester ; J. Hartley, Rochdale ; J. Lomax. 

Stockport ; Howarth, Bury ; W. Cunningham, Asbton- 

under-line ) J. Brook, Delph j and by the Author. 

1817, 



Tt 

SIR JOSEPH RADCLIFFE, BART. 

OP 

Mills-Bridge, in the Countj of York, 

As a token of gratitude for the very liberal 
assistance he has afforded i?i forwarding this 
ivork, and for favors before received, when the 
author was in indigence and obscurity, the 
following sheets are most respectfully inscribed, 
by his 

obedient and devoted servant, 

JAMES BUTTERWORTH. 



Post-Office, OldLara, 
April, 1M7. 



PREFACE. 

CUSTOM hath established that every 
publication shall be ushered forth with 
some kind of preface, therefore I shall 
not entirely deviate from the common path 
pursued by literary adventurers. I wish, 
however, to be considered herein merely 
as a rustic peasant, addressing myself to 
the population of a chapelry whose in- 
habitants I consider as my neighbours, 
just beyond the bounds of which I drew 
the first breath of existence, and w r hose 
contiguity of situation to the place of my 
nativity has long endeared me to the same, 
B 



11 

not to mention the attachment created by 
a residence of thirteen years amongst the 
population of the town which I am here 
humbly attempting* to describe. 

If by reciting a few crude ideas that 
I have endeavoured to collect and throw 
into a form which I have here denominated 
a Descriptive History of the place, I could 
please a few of my countrymen, it would 
gratify me much, and be the utmost height 
of my ambition. 

First, then, I trust thoy will suffer me 
to plead on my own behalf, the want of 
every material whereby to commence, and 
much more to prosecute so extensive an 
undertaking; an undertaking, which, if 
managed as it ought, requires a fund of 
information. — Not a scrap of writing, 
however, relative to the parochial chapel 



Ill 

of Oldham, is to be found in the vestry 
chest thereof ; and I have been assured by 
the Rector of Prestwich, that no records 
relative to the subject can be produced 
there ; and what is surprizing*, our vestry- 
books, the registers of births and burials, 
commence near a century prior to those 
of the mother church. — I am not at all 
inclined to amuse the reader with tradition, 
as unfitting what is designated history, 
the basis of which ought to stand on a 
firmer foundation than old women's stories ; 
yet the absence of these written documents 
which appertain to every place of worship 
under the establishment, favour the old 
damsel very much ; she says, " that Oldham 
chapel was originally the mother church ; 
but that some one in favour wifh John of 
Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, procured the 
adoption of Prestwich a« the mothe. ar.i 
so turned the natural parent adrift." — I give 



IV 

the story merely for the amusement of my 
readers, not giving any countenance to the 
veracity thereof. — It happens, however, 
very unfortunately for one who wishes to 
trace its history, to be left destitute of all 
proper supports. This, however, being the 
case, an endeavour has been made from the 
appearance of the structure itself, to draw 
some conclusions respecting the date of its 
erection; for I do not at all believe that 
Sir Ralph Langley, Knight. generally 

allowed) was the founder of Oldham pa- 
rochial chapel: 1 believe I have* proof (as 
will be seen hereafter) that there existed a 
church so denominated, ten years before 
the time he is stated to have built it. It 
must therefore follow that he wa* not the 
founder, but the re-builder thereof, and as 
we are left totally without hist 
of its first erection, conjecture 1 
fill the chasm. In every part of the work 



I have had to struggle with difficulties ; 
for it seems as if the district I have here 
undertaken to describe, had never been 
much noticed by any historian. Camden 
and Speed do just mention the place, but 
that is all, from which I infer that it w 
formerly a bleak, inhospitable, and un- 
cultivated place, the resort of refugees or 
poor labourious peasants, who lived as- in 
the primitive ages, by the sweat of their 
brow; for in the most early period I can 
trace, it is noted for its rough inhabitants, 
who were chiefly coal-miners. Few 
families of distinction appear to have re- 
sided here earlier lhan about the reign of 
Charles the First, except the chief propri- 
etors of the land — the Cudworths, the 
Kadcliffes, and the Dyroms, and I am 
thence led to conclude, before that period 
it contained but few inhabitants. — There is 
also a certain gloom, which partially 
B 2 



n 

obscures the history thereof prior to that 
period, and documents remain in existence 
proving it to have been then chiefly wast$ 
and moorland. 

In the small circle in which this work 
is likely to meet any attention, there may 
be a number of honest, good-intentioned, 
sensible men, who will read it only 
the sake of information or amusement : 
these will readily pardon any inaccur.i 
that may occur which do not clash with 
common sense, and that adherence to 
facts which ought to appear in a pro- 
duction of this nature ; to these I need not 
appeal ; but there are (for who has not his 
adversaries') a kind of literary hawks, hover- 
ing over the head of every poor author, who 
will pounce down upon, and devour them. 
before they can plead for mercy: these are 
generally the sons of some plodding and 



VI 1 

industrious parent, who by dint of unremit- 
ting application to business, aided by a 
concurrence of favourable circumstances, 
has advanced himself from obscurity, and 
been enabled to give his children a liberal 
education in some classical school. These 
beings, imagining themselves lifted above 
the common class of readers, and above 
the mean idea of reading for information, 
or even gratification, and who possessing 
a knowledge of the languages, have been 
enabled to climb a little way up the hill 
of Parnassus, and tasted superficially of 
the living waters flowing in their purity 
from the great and immortal rocks of 
antiquity, and having had their peas 
boiled* before they were born, by an 
indulgent and provident father, look down 



* Alluding to tho story of the Two Pilgrims, by 
Dr. Walcot, alias Peter Pindar, Esq. 



V11J 

with a contemptuous smile on a poor in- 
digent wretch of a pilgrim, who, witl. 
times the ardour, and a thousand ( 
the perseverance they p ours 

to crawl up the ascent, writhing under the 
greatest anguish, with shoes Intolerable! 
and blistered feet, hiap ng unboiled. 

such b< lehold the bl 

and mouldy croat of poverty: let i. 
taste and try its hardness, when the to 

from the gums at every bite— l< 

drink of the clear 1 everidg 

to WJ , during 

the time they ol 

intellectual work which th< 

let every limb be in motion, and e 

muscle extended to obtain this nut 

or rather integument wh teth 

soul and body together : let them thus toil 

for themselves and for \ 



IX 

equally dear to their bosom, and then shew 
forth to the public their great abilities ; for 
such was the situation, and such the op- 
portunity of improvement enjoyed in the 
hey-day of the passions, and when every 
mental power was in its greatest maturity, 
by him, the object who now presents him- 
self at the bar of public judgment, and 
such be their situation, before they judge 
of one so circumstanced ; and then, with 
the fillited eve, and balance of even-handed 
justice, let them try their unlettered and 
humble suppliant ; and should the scale 
preponderate unfavourably, he will most 
submissively and willingly admit the justice 
of their sentence. Yes, ere they be allowed 
to exercise a right of judgment over one in 
such a situation, these sons of blandishment 
ought to be aroused from their feather-bed 
slumbers! and take the oil of industry to 
enliven their mornings, and let the long- 



scorching summer's sun behold their daily 
labours, and the taper of diligence twinkle 
in their midnight hours, in order to procure 
a bare subsistence, and then shew to the 
world how far superior in abilities they 
would soar above the common-place writer 
produced in every village. For while they 
were driving their tandem up the hill of 
Pegassus by the power of riches (which 
has dubbed many a natural-born babe a 
great genius) your simple historian 
driving the chirping songstress* ao 
the silvery threads, stealing perchance at 
the pause after a repast, or while wait- 
ing the circumvolutions of the mechanic 
wheel t, or even, as before said, during 
the time of actual labour, a glance at " The 



* The SUultl*. t Wiudiuff-whetl. 



XI 



Mountain Daisy," ^ or the " Poems of 
Pomfret ;" from such a one, so situated in 
his youthful days, no one who compareth 
and judgeth of situations rightly, can ex- 
pect much. 

To Sir Joseph Radcliffe, Bart., of 
Mills Bridge, in the county of York, I 
owe all my most material information, 
chiefly collected by his father-in-law, T. 
Percival, Esq. of Royton-hall, (who ap- 
pears to have been a great lover of an* 
tiquity) ; his pedigrees of the Lancashire 
families, collected by himself, with the 
great additions made by the bfeore-men- 
tioned worthy baronet, are an invaluable 



* Robert Burns' Poems, so entitled. — This was the first 
drop from the heliconian spring, that first attracted my at- 
tention. 



Xll 

treasure, and with them I have been kindly 
favoured by him. 

I must confes- myself very highly and 
particularly obliged also, to all those 
tlemen who have contributed any thing 
towards forwarding this under: and 

to every one who has rendered me any 
assistance, I return my most grateful ac- 
knowledgments ; and that my humble en- 
deavours may in any degree prove 1 
ficial, or gratify the wishes of the public, 
is the sincere prayer of their humble and 
obedient servant, 

THE AUTHOR. 



THE. 



HISTORY OF OLDHAM. 



The parochial Chapelry or Parish of 
Oldham. 

The parish of Oldham is, properly 
speaking, a parochial chapelry, in Lanca- 
shire, subject in some degree to Prestwich, 
but enjoys all the privileges of a parish. — 
It is bounded by the parishes of Manchester 
and Ashton-under-line on the south ; by 
the parish of Ashton-under-line and the 
parochial chapelry of Saddleworth, in 
Yorkshire, on the east ; by the parishes of 
Rochdale and Middleton on the north ; and 
by the parishes of Middleton and Prestwich 
o 



on the west. It is a very populous district, 
and may be computed to contain 
upwards of 30,000 souls; which, according 
to the last census taken, is a very moderate 
calculation. — It is in general in a high state 
of cultivation, particularly the hamlet of 
Oldham below town ; and nearly the 
whole of the Townships of Royton, and 
of Chadderlon. Crompton is the least cul- 
tivated of the four townships, but this may 
be easily accounted for, as it mostly con - 
of a mass of rugged hills and valleys, some 
of which will scarce admit at all of culture. 
The northern part of this township is the 
chief part of the chapelry which is, properly 
speaking, in a stale of nature, and though 
it is high land, it might be easly rendered 
a fertile and pleasant part of the township. 
Royton is nearly all upon the flat, if we 
except a part of Oldham-Edge, and in ge- 
neral very rich land. — The township of 
Chadderton is in every part much improv- 
ing, and bids fair to held a competition 
with Royton, in a short period of time ; 
tire part thereof lying in the vicinity of Sir 



3 

Thomas Horton's mansion, and the cir- 
cumjacent lands around Covvhill are luxu- 
rious. Through the extent of the parish 
there are no rivers, and but few which will 
come under the denomination of rivulets ; 
they are chiefly such as the poets style 
streamlets or rills, 

11 Which in meanders winding thro* the plain, 
Like liquid serpents, draw their silver train." 

I shall endeavour to enumerate a few 
of them : — several branches of the river Irk 
rise at or near the following places — Thorp, 
Low-Crompton, Royton-Park, Cowlishaw, 
and Oldham-Edge, which forming one 
rivulet, at or near Street-Bridge, wind 
along through the pleasant vale of Little- 
Green, falling into the rivulet which 
passes near Middleton school : other 
branches of the same river rise at or near 
Burnley-lane, North-moor, and Lees-hall, 
and join into one stream near Foxdenton, 
and. passing along Tonge, fall into the 
Middleton water a little below the junction 



of the aforesaid branches. — Several small 
branches also of the rivulet named the Beal, 
rise in the parish ; one at or near Broad- 
bent-moss, another pours its slender torrent 
down from the hill called Beesom-hill, and 
a third distills from near Crompton halb 
while a fourth washes the foot of the vernal 
banks of White field ; the united waters of 
which, joining other branches flowing from 
the high lands of Cold \ in Butter- 

worth, form one rivulet at or near a place 
called Two-Bridges ; aud alter passing the 
village of Milnrow, and Beliield-hall, fall 
into the river Roach. — Two branches also 
of the Medlock rise in this parish : the one 
at or near the said bleak and barren hill 
called Beesom-hill, and the other near Dirt- 
car, which unite their w atei > at a place in 
the vicinity of this parish, called V 
bridge. — One of these branches, (the 
streamlet that rises near Dirtear) is the 
only one that passes near the town of 
Oldham, the other branch, passing Water- 
head-mill, divides the parishes of Oldham 
and Ashton-under-line, to the farthest 



point of this parish, near a place called 
Holts, which is situated on its borders, in 
the division of Knott-lanes ; these small 
streamlets, diversified through every part 
of the parish, are very useful either in 
moving machinery by their own impetus 
alone, or by giving power to the great 
number of steam-engines appendant to the 
numerous cotton-mills situate on their 
banks. — It contains very few woods, if we 
except that part adjoining to the township 
of Butterworth, and one, perhaps the 
pleasantest in the parish, though not the 
largest, near Hunt-lane in Chadderton. 
Timber may be said to be remarkably 
scarce here ; but that defect is wonderfully 
and abundantly supplied by the vast quan- 
tities of coal found in every part of the 
parish : indeed a great number of the in- 
habitants derive their subsistence and em- 
ploy from the digging of them, the sale of 
which has raised many of the first adven- 
turers in that business to a state of opu- 
lence. The Manchester market seems to 
prefer the coal dug in this parish before 
c 2 



that of any other, and the quantity daily 
sent hence to this great emporium of the 
north, would astonish those who have 
never beheld so important a branch of 
commerce in the vicinity of its pro- 
duction. 

The manufacture of hats, particularly 
in the town itself, has been carried on to a 
wonderful extent ; and, excepting Lon- 
don, could boast (considering the extent 
of the town) of a greater number of large 
manufactories than perhaps any other 
town in England. — The manufacture of 
the stronger cotton goods has risen to 
the zenith of perfection in this pariah ; 
such as the strong velveteens, cords, and 
other substantial fustians. I conceive that 
in Royton, Crompton, and their neigh- 
bourhood, the best fustians that ever were 
manufactured in any part of the United 
Kingdom, have been produced. Though 
some of the neighbouring parishes, as 
Manchester and Ashton-under-line, may 
excel this in the spinning branch of the 
cotton manufacture, it may bid a bold de- 



fiance to them in the manufacture of all 
the substantial cotton piece-goods, or in 
that boardly texture of wool and cotton 
mixed, denominated woollen cords. 



8 



Town of Oldham. 

The town of Oldham seems to me 
to derive its name from Eald (Saxon), 
signifying Old (so written now), and 
Ham (Saxon), a Village, i. e. the Old 
Village or place. — Supposing it to derive 
its name, as there is I think no doubt, 
from these Saxon words, it seems highly- 
probable that it existed in the time of the 
Saxons, and perhaps before then, or else 
why did it receive such a name. — We, 
however, are obliged to leave it thus, as 
we have no data to shew its origin ; but 
we may infer, and with a very great degree 
of probability, that the words which our 
ancestors coupled together to denominate 
this old place, import it to be a place of 
antiquity, even when it first received its 
name. — To indulge, however, in forming 
conclusions respecting the origin of places, 
by referring the same to the language from 
which their names are derived, may not 
altogether be admissible in history, the 



9 

basis of which should not be either con- 
jectural, traditional or even only probable, 
but should rest on that foundation of truth 
itself, 

" Immutable as is the source from whence it 

flows, 
Which neither change nor shade of difference 

knows." 

Yet when an historian is furnished with no 
other means of ascertaining the epoch of 
the first existence of any place, which he 
has undertaken to describe, surely there 
ought to be a little more indulgence shewn, 
and it becomes one so circumstanced, not 
only to avoid any stretch of ideas, but to 
fix upon those which appear perfectly 
rational, and which carry along with them 
the stamp of apparent authenticity. — If my 
reader is disposed to allow me such an 
indulgence as to form probable suppositions 
from the meaning of terms, I should be 
induced to conjecture that the parishes (so 
styled) of Oldham and Prestwich, which 
are now connected together, did once 






10 

conjointly form one parish, as properly 
speaking they still do, and that it was called 
the parish of Oldham only, and that 
Oldham was then the original and chief 
village or place therein. I am inclined to 
think so from the name thereof; because 
had there existed in the same parish one 
Ham or village still older than this, why 
denominate this Eald or old ; why not 
give the preference to the present mother; 
because the termination of her name also 
implies a village. Let us thou for a mo- 
ment suppose that the then priest of Old- 
ham (probably resident on Priest-hill) dis- 
liking, perhaps, the bleak situation of our 
town, or for many other reasons which 
might be urged, was induced to leave his 
ancient residence, and erect a house in 
another part of this extensive parish, 
more pleasant, warm and fertile, which 
removal might occur in the time of the 
Anglo-Saxons; for Prest signifies in their 
tongue Priest, and trick or which is always 
Understood of a village, castle, or hay, 
where authority presided or was exercised. 



11 

I wish not to be understood as saying that 
it actually was so ; but a former tradition, 
before quoted, with the reasons above 
stated, render it the more probable, at 
least I beg to offer a conjecture of this 
kind, for the amusement of my readers. 

Either nothing of Roman origin has 
to my knowledge been ever found in this 
town, or in the chapel ry, or else we have 
never had the honour of possessing any 
person whose bent of genius ever led him 
to search after, and explore these an- 
tiquities ; yet there is the finest remains of 
a length of Roman road at a place on the 
borders of this parish called Street, in the 
township of Failsworth, of any I believe in 
the neighbourhood of the ancient Mancu- 
nium (the present Manchester); it extends 
in a direct line, as it is always acknowledg- 
ed they formed them, verging from Man- 
chester, and for about the distance of one 
furlong is very apparent, the high embank- 
ment on each side thereof decide at once 
its origin. — This branch must be that which 
passed Castleshaw in Saddleworth, and its 



12 

direction would be across our parish, by 
Copster-hill and Glodwiek,— of which 
perhaps some further re mar! occur. — 

in respect of population, Oldham (aCC 
inir to the last < enmrt, taken I 
government) rfc w in the 

list of 60 of the principal ones to G 
Britain. Its present population N 
follows — in 1816 : 

Inhabited Hou-es ! 

rninhabited do 

Total of Houses, 1160 



Males 3697 

Females i 4030 

Total of Inhabitants. 7727 



The above statement includes the 
town only, from Wernith-copy to Mount- 
pleasant (or Workhouse-erofO, the houses 
being all so nearly connected together, 
cannot be considered but as forming one 



13 

town. Bat the whole township of Old- 
ham considered collectively, contained, in 
1801, 12,014 inhabitants; in 1811 it had 
increased in population to 16,690; indeed 
the township itself might with a great 
degree of propriety be considered as one 
entire town. 

The town is situate on a hill, in the 
western part of the county of Lancaster, in 
lat. 53* 27' north, and in long. 2° 4' west. 
Its inhabitants are chiefly employed in 
the spinning and weaving of Manchester 
cottons, particularly those strong kinds 
denominated fustians. Great numbers 
also are engaged in the hat manufactories, 
which are very extensive here. — The coal 
works too employ a portion of its popu- 
lation. It seems to be a kind of central 
communication between the leading towns 
of the West-riding of York and that great 
mart of commerce Manchester, and in the 
last 20 years has increased in extent at least 
two thirds. Its proximity to Manchester 
(being distant therefrom scarcely 6 miles) 
renders it a place of much trade, add to 
D 



14 

which, the many new roads and canals 
which have been planned and executed 
here, and in this neighbourhood, all of 
which, crossing at different angles in the 
town, or the vicinity thereof, constitute it 
a focus for trade, and render it a general 
resort of all strangers passing betwixt the 
commercial counties of York and Lan 
ter. This town, by its elevated situation, 
might be rendered very clean and pleasant, 
but there seems to be a negligence in thi s 
particular. The main street through the 
town is generally clean, but some of the 
back streets and lanes are extremely loath- 
some and unpleasant. — I particularly wish 
to remark this of West-street, than which 
if it was thoroughly paved and not covered 
with so much Loathsome filth, would be 
not only as pleasant but as handsome a 
street as there is any in most country towns : 
it is, however, much injured in its form by 
the buildings at the top, which conceal its 
appearance from strangers. — But the 
gradual improvment making in the town, 
will shortly discover the impropriety of 



15 

such obstructions, even to the very in- 
dividuals who are so imprudent as to cause 
them. The market-place, so denominated, 
is a very spaeious one, and might be 
rendered very handsome indeed, by the 
erection of a few new buildings, which, if 
properly planned would render the form 
of the present area very similar to a square. 
High-street, in which at present is carried 
on the chief traffic, is in some parts very 
narrow, so as scarcely to admit of two 
carriages to pass, particularly that part 
which connects with Yorkshire-street, 
the narrowness of which is disgraceful 
to the town itself. The houses, as we 
enter into Yorkshire-street, nearly oppo- 
site the church, are to be pulled down we 
understand, and it were to be wished that 
those houses at the bottom of Church-lane, 
and those on the top of Goldburn might 
share a similar fate, and be all swept away. 
If this opening is made by pulling down 
those filthy sheds, it will be a dispute 
whether the market-place will be op- 
posite the church or remain where it 



16 

now is. I am inclined to think that a few 
years (if trade should revive) will shew 
that this new space which is projected to 
be made, will be the very centre of the 
town ; for who does not perceive that the 
rapid increase of buildings at Mumps- 
brook, and jn all the eastern part of the 
town, appears as if it would be carried on 
to greater extent and be more populous 
than that part on the western declivity of 
the town. Yorkshire-street, so called as 
being the entry into the town from York- 
shire, would abu be rendered airy and 
pleasant, and one side of the street would 
appear not so disgustful to the other as 
it does at present. — May that ardour con- 
tinue to prevail in the breasts of our 
townsmen, as will by degrees render 
Oldham as agreeable and pleasant a town 
as it is a populous one ! — Manchester-street, 
on the western bank, so called as being 
that which branches forth towards this 
great mart of commerce and industry, is 
perhaps the most airy and pleasant of any 
in the town, being intersected by civ-, 



17 

streets and vernal openings to the south. 
King-street, which crosses Manchester- 
street, forming nearly a right angle there- 
with, is the main road toAshton-under-line. 
These two streets are likely in a course of 
years to become the trunks from which 
many pleasant branches of populous 
avenues and lesser streets may spring. — If 
Union-street, which has been projected 
many years ago, should ever be completed, 
it would bring all the influx of wheel 
carriages and horses passing to and from 
Manchester, through these last-mentioned 
streets; and certainly those gentlemen 
interested in that undertaking will be very 
considerable sufferers should they never 
see the completion of their project. 



D 2 



18 



The Parochial Chapel of Oldham, 
Dedicated to St. Mary. 

Oldham parochial chapel, or what 
is generally called the church, is said to have 
been built by Sir Ralph Langley, Knight, 
second son of Langley of Edge-croft, 
warden of Manchester, and curate of 
Prestwich, who was buried in Prest- 
wich, of which church he was patron, 
and under which church Oldham is a 
parochial chapelry, the minister being 
appointed by the rector of Prestwich. — It 
is said that a deed exists in the tower of 
London, stating this church to have been 
built In 1476 (temp, of Edward the IVth) ; 
that part betwixt the pulpit and the steeple, 
the expence of which was £28 \6s. Ad. 
Of this deed it is very difficult to say 
whether the existence is real or imaginary, 
since the statement is entirely void of 
circumstautial evidence of its ever having 
been consulted by any individual. The 
more am I induced to question the exist- 
ence of such deed, because there certainly 



19 

was a church before this time ; for in the 
title of a deed belonging to the Cud- 
worths of Wernith^, dated the 16th Jan. 
in the fifth year of Edward IV., viz. 1466, 
ten years before the above statement of 
the building thereof, are these words : — 

" James Holt, son and heir of Ralph 
Holt, grants to Jeffery Cudworth and his 
heirs, all the messuages, lands and tene- 
ments called Abramhills, and Caypighill, t 
of the west part of Jhe church of Old- 
ham." 

A copy of the title of this deed, 
which once belonged to Ann Cudworth, 
I have seen, and have no doubt of its 
being genuiue. I do not, however, say 
or wish to insinuate that the before state- 
ment respecting the building of the church 
by Langley is fabulous ; no, I believe that 
he repaired and enlarged it. 

A very widely extended traditiona 
couplet, which if I were permitted to in- 



* See Wernitb. t Suppose the hill now called Copy, 



20 



troduce, would make the church appear to 
have been of early origin : — 

" Old I am — Old is my name, 
The oldest church in Christendom/' 

But setting- aside all such legendary 
matters, it is most certain, from what I 
have before stated, that Langley only re- 
built the present structure, and that there 
existed before that period some kind of 
building denominated a church. Besides, 
we may venture to assert, from an exami- 
nation of the structure itself, that the body 
of the church bears the appearanee of a 
more ancient date than the time of Ed- 
ward IV. The north wall has manifestly 
been built at three separate and distinct 
periods of time, as may be clearly seen 
by examining its exterior face ; the portion 
from the tower to the fourth buttress being 
the most ancient, and containing the ori- 
ginal windows; each window on the north 
side being composed of two pointed arches, 
and on the south side of three, each com- 
partment of an equal height, divided by 



21 

simpte muUtani,.and terminating in trefoil 
heads* Every gtage of successive altera- 
lion deviates from the original window in 
form, and may here be traced ; as if there 
existed a studied design to destroy the 
beauty of the fabric, by the various style 
and manner of the lights. Fcom the 
fourth buttress to the fifth, and from the 
fifth to the sixth (in whioh are situate the 
Cudworths' and Hortons' chapels), are 
successive enlargements. On the north 
side the original windows, two in num- 
ber, from the tower to the fourth buttress, 
which is opposite the pulpit, are only 
two lights or compartments, with trefoil 
heads. The roof here is raised a foot 
higher than in the lower extremity of the 
building: the window betwixt the fourth 
and fifth buttress consists of three com- 
partments, with trefoil heads; the window 
betwixt the fifth and sixth buttress is com- 
posed also of three compartments, but has 
only a plain pointed termination, devoid 
of the trefoil ; the fifth buttress st. vAs 
obliquely, like the first, shewing that the 



22 

building once terminated here. Other 
marks of a successive enlargement are 
visible in the interior of the church, which 
is a plain, simple, unadorned specimen of 
the early gothic style, consisting of a body 
and two side-wings or aisles. — The pulpit 
ig placed against an irregular pillar, a por- 
tion of which and its opposite, once con- 
stituted the eastern end of the building, 
hence their irregularity. Those pillars, 
having a pointed arch sprung from them 
across the body of the church, to support 
the roof, and allow of ifs enlargement. 
The pillars range regularly down the 
middle of the interior, separating the body 
from the aisles, and are joined to each 
other by pointed arches, and it is these 
arches which support the roof. The roof 
is also pointed corresponding to the 
arches, plain and unornamented ; but 
when viewed from the great eastern win- 
dow, it has an air of height and distance 
found in very few churches of equal di- 
mensions. The pillars in the original 
body are regular and equal, and bear 



2* 

strong* marks of an early date, inasmuch 
as they seem to be an attempt to join the 
massy strength of the Saxon with the 
lightness of the Gothic. They are octa- 
gonal, and entirely void of ornament — no 
trifling circumstance in estimating their 
antiquity. They are utterly void of capi- 
tal ; not even bound with a fillet or band ; 
the arches springing immediately from the 
superior extremity of the pillar, and they 
rest upon a base composed of a plinth, 
and entirely without the usual architectu- 
ral ornaments, being simply faced into 
eight sides, agreeing with the octagonal 
shape of the pillars. 

The simplicity of the design and exe- 
cution, the entire want of ornament, the 
pointed arch, and strong octagoual pillar, 
the absence of capital, the plain and un- 
usual base, all shew this church to be an 
early specimen of the simple and una- 
dorned Gothic, with a mixture of Saxon, 
an opinion which is confirmed by the 
pointed windows, and simple mullion, de- 
void of ramification : all these circum- 






24 

stances induce us to refer the structure 
of the original body to the early part of 
the twelfth century, or about the reign of 
John, when the Saxon Gothic prevailed, 
and when every feudal lord built and en- 
dowed at his pleasure. 

It will therefore follow that Sir Ralph 
Langley only enlarged and repaired the 
building, near 250 years after the erec- 
tion of the original structure ; in support 
of which, we will only quote the statement 
of tire expence mentioned, which is not at 
all competent to erect a building so large, 
even at that period ; but might have been 
sufficient for an enlargement of the origi- 
nal fabric. — That Sir Ralph Langley en- 
larged the building cannot be doubted ; 
and about the time stated (1476), several 
ancient silver coins having been found at 
different periods, in digging the interior 
of the building, and one which was dug 
up lately in the Cudworths' chapel, is a 
groat of Edward IV., struck off at York, 
and in excellent preservation when found, 
and which consequently confirms the opi- 



25 

nion that the present eastern extremity is 
the work of Sir Ralph Langley. 

In the neighbourhood is some land 
which did probably originally atfach to 
the church, viz. Priors and Priest-hill ; but 
which in the absence of written data we 
can only infer, as there are no writings, 
as I before stated, nor does it appear how 
Oldham became attached as a parochial 
chapelry to Prestwich. 

The gallery of the church was erected 
in 1703, by Mr. Brierly, of Oldham. 

In the great eastern window is the 
arms of the Radcliffes of Foxdenton, 
painted on glass, viz. — 

1 & 4. Argent, a bend engrailed, sable, 
for Radcliffe. 

2. Argent, a bend engrailed, sable in 

chief, a mullet of the 2nd. 

3. Argent, a fess and bend, sable. 

In Cudworths' chapel is a monument 
of black and white marble. — On the top 
of the monument is the arms of the Cud- 
worths, impaled with Moseley, viz. — 

E 



26 

Sable, a fess, ermine betwixt. 3 den. - 
lion?, orr. — Moseley, quarterly I 
& 4, sable ; a eheveron between 
3 pick-axes, argent. — Moseley 2 
& 3, sable, a barulet between 9 
eagles displayed, reqt. 

The following Latin inscription 
pears on the tablet below, — 

HfSCftlPYBO 

Siste viator mora crit pretiom 
Rcsponsa accipe aliquot questionculi I, 

Quest. Quis jacct hie ?— Resp. Johannes 
Cudworth, dc Wernith-hall. 

Q. Cujas fuit ? — R. Lancastriensia maneri 
de Oldham Domiiius. 

Q. Qualis vixit ? — R. Pre bus in homines, 
IB Deum pius. 

Q. Quam duxit conjugem ? — R. Aliciam 
Antonii Moseley tiliara. 

Q. Quos suscepit liberosl — R. Joshuaru, 
Johannein, Jonam, Rica rd inn, Antoniinn, Tho- 
ninm, Danielcin (jnfans qui occubuit), Franc is- 
cuin, Jacobum, et Danielum, alterum et e biliori 
sexu cuui llanna J a nam. 



27 



Q. Quot vixit anuos ?— Octo era! et sexa- 
genarius. 

Q, Quodecessit? — R. Anno Chris togomoe 
secundo et quingentissimo supra niiilesimuin et 
sexcentissimuu), Junii 7 mo. 

Q. Qui hoc erexerunt ? — Richardus et 
Thos. ; vitae et necis civilis arbiter classis, nou 
nimis felicis qure petiit Jtimaicum. 

Q. Satis est viator? — R. Tecum c-ogita 
quantillum differt, unibulans a jacente puivere. 



TRANSLATION. 

Stop passenger ! it will be worth your while 
hear replies to a few brief enquiries. 

Quest. Who reposes here? — Answ. John 
Cudworth, of Wernith-Hall, Esq. 

Q. Of what country was he? — A. He was 
of the county of Lancaster, and Lord of the 
manor of Oldham. 

Q. How did he live ? — A. He was upright 
towards man, and pious towards God. 

Q. Whom did he marry ? — A. Alice, 
daughter of Anthony Moseley. 

Q. What children had he? — A. Joshua 
John, Jonas, Richard, Anthony, Thomas, Daniel 



28 

(who died in infancy), Francis, James, and a 
second Daniel; and of the feebler sex, Jane and 
Hannah. 

Q. How old was he? — A. He was sixty- 
ei^ht years of age. 

Q. When did he die?— A. On the 7th of 
June, in the year of our Lord one thousand six 
hundred and fifty two. 

Q. Who erected this monument? — A. 
Richard and Thomas, who was supreme civil 
Judge of the unsuccessful fleet which after- 
wards took Jamaica.* 

Q. Passenger, is it enough ? — A. Reflect 
as you walk over the reposing ashes, how little 
you differ from him. 



• It may not be familiar to •very reader, that during 
the usurpation of Cromwell, an expedition was filled out to 
attack the island of Hispaniola, and the command gi\- I la 
Admirals Peun and Vcnables ; this attempt, howerer, proving 
unsuccessful, they steered to Jamaica, which was surrendered 
la them j but so little importance was attached at lhat time to 
this conquest, that Penn and Venables on their return home 
were sent to the Tower, for their failure in the principal 
object of the expedition. — This will explain what is meant 
b? the " Unsuccessful Fleet.'' 



29 

Hbrtons' chapel, which is opposite to 
Cudvvoi ths', and on the south side of the 
church, contains several marble monu- 
ments, which are commemorative of dif- 
ferent members of Horton's family: 

One monumental tablet, to the memory 
of Joshua Horton, Esq. and Mary his wife, 
(who only survived him twelve days); and 
two others, to the memory of Mrs. Ann 
Horton, and Thomas Horton, Esq. ; and a 
fourth, of white marble, to the memory of 
several branches of the Horton family ; 
and suspended from the roof are five 
escutcheons of several relatives of the 
Hortons. 

On a brass plate affixed to one of the 
pillars, is the following inscription : — 

" After various conditions of life, here 
at last, at the foot of this pillar, resteth 
the body of Oliver Shaw, of Heyside, Gent. 
Aged near 73. 

What I was is passed by, 
What I am away will fly ; 
What I shall be none does see, 
What then in that, my joys will be. 

He died August 1st, and was buried 
Augt. 5th, 1706. 

e 2 



30 

On the top of the plate id the arjns 
of his family, with the motto, 

u Tri imi Deo gloria." 

On another brass plate, on a pillar oppo- 
site the pulpit, is the following inscription : 

" Susan the Daughter, and one of the 
Coheirs of Win. Radcliife, of Foxdenton, 
Esq., was buried at the Foundation of this 
Pillar, the 25th of January, 16D6, in the 
83d year of her age/' 

Benefactions from the following per- 
sons are registered on two tables, placed 
on each side in the body of the church. — 
Mr. Samuel Scholes, of Lower Horsedge ; 
Mr. Mark Nield, of Bent-green ; and Mr. 
John Walker, of Manchester. Their do- 
nations are for the purpose of educating 
poor children within Oldham. 

Mr. Timothy Eyre, and Mr. John 
Tetlow, gave certain lands for the benefit 
of the poor ; and Mr. Samuel Howard also 
gave bibles, coats, and gowns for their 
use. 



31 



In 1558, the year in which the register 
©f births and burials commences at Old- 
ham church, there were only 21 baptisms, 
and 14 burials. — The following is a state- 
ment of births and burials in the last 22 
years : — 



Year. 


Births. 


Burials. 


Year. 


Births. 


Burialt. 


1795 


.. 435 


.. 304 


1806 


.. 348 


.. 274 


1796 


.. 450 


.. 242 


1807 


.. 301 


.. 250 


1797 


.. 415 


.. 258 


1808 


.. 275 


.. 330 


1798 


.. 422 


.. 274 


1809 


.. 262 


.. 233 


1799 


.. 375 


.. 199 


1810 


.. 266 


.. 414 


1800 


.. 291 


.. 412 


1811 


.. 288 


.. 276 


1801 


.. 294 


.. 378 


1812 


.. 238 


.. 328 


1802 


.. 365 


.. 272 


1813 


.. 224 


. . 359 


1803 


.. 378 


.. 324 


18 L4 


.. 260 


.. 331 


1804 


.. 357 


.. 226 


1815 


.. 287 


.. 280 


1805 


.. 345 


.. 235 


1816 


.. 254 


.. 338 



To gratify the curiosity of some of 
my readers, I have annexed a list of the 
curates of this parochial chapel, from the 
time of Charles I. 

The Rev. Robert Constantine, minister 
in J 640, married Frances, daughter of 
Robert Ashton of Shepley, (who was a 
captain in the parliament's army), by 
Jane, daughter of William Walker, of 



32 

Ashton-under-line. Mr. Constantine it 
appears vacated Oldham during the great 
rebellion, or as it is said, refused the en- 
gagement of the ministry, for which Justice 
Ashton, of Chadderton, vigorously prose- 
cuted him, so as to force him to remove, 
\yhen upon an invitation he went to Bur- 
stal in Yorkshire. He was succeeded by 
the Rev. John Lake, n. D., afterward* 
Rector of Prestwich, and then Bishop of 
Chichester; but after three or four years Mr. 
C. returned to Oldham again, for I find him 
minister in 1662 ; but he was ejected there- 
from 24th August, in the same year, on 
that much-noted Bartholomew ^ day : after 
this Mr. C. lived privately until the time 
of Charles's indulgence in 1672, he then 
took out a licence and preached to a con- 
siderable number of people in a thatched 
house at Greenacres, three miles from 
Oldham. ^ He continued so dohi£* a con- 



* The present generation may &u&m the distance im- 
probable, though chiefly extracted from a work ofjrstab 



S3 



siderable time ; but on the decease of his 
wife, who was buried at Oldham, March 
29, 1695, he removed to Manchester, being 
unfit for the ministry ; he was buried from 
thence at Oldham, December 16, 1699. 

After Mr. Constantine's ejectment 
in 1662, he was succeeded by the Rev. 
Wallworke, who I find was curate in 
1664; this clergyman by the Rev. Isaac 
Harpur, of Hunt-lane, who officiated 
upwards of 27 years. After him followed 
the Rev. John Halliwell, of Pike-house, 
curate in 1721 ; his successor was the 
Rev- J. Sugden ; and after him came the 
Rev. Samuel Townson, who was succeeded 
by the present curate, the Rev. Thomas 
Fawcett. 



veracity ; but when they are told that the main road from 
Oldham to Greenacres then passed from Oldham by the Red 
Lion, at Greenacres moor, and thence by Vineyard and the 
two Newearths, and passing Roe-lane, to Lees, and forward 
to Hey, Waterhead-inill, and so on to Greenacres, die im« 
probability vanishes ; for doubtless such was the state of th# 
country then, with respect to the communication by roads. 



S4 



Oldham Grammar-School. 

Oldham School was built by James 
Asheton, Esq., of Chadderton, and otl 
in the year 161 1. — It is a substantial stone 
building*, very plain, and had formerly ■ 
spacious porch for the boys to shelter and 
refresh themselves in during the hou* 
relaxation. OveT this porch was a cham- 
ber, swing m a residence for the person 
appointed to clean the school : on the 
front of this porch was a shield cut in 
stone, on which were eight coats quar- 
terly, viz. — 

1. Argent, a mullet, sable, for Asheton. 

2. A bond engrailed, sable, for Radcliffe. 
8. A cross potent, for Chadderton. 

4. Argent, 3 lions rampant, purpura, for 
Talbot. 

5. Sable, fretty argent, for Harrington 
of Wooifage. 

Tfcree lions passant guardant. for — 

7. On a bend, three mullets, for — 

8. A lion rampant, for — 






35 

It is much to be regretted that this 
porch was not suffered to remain, instead 
of which, there is now only a paltry erec- 
tion of brick, so small as to admit only 
about three or four boys. It really is dis- 
graceful to the school, which is handsome 
for its age, and I am convinced the trus- 
tees feel an unpleasant idea whenever 
they behold it. 

The trust deed of the building of the 
school bears date the loth day of May, 
the fourth year of James I. — The original 
trustees, to whom the grant of half an acre 
of land for the building of the said school 
and maintenance thereof was made, by 
James Asheton, Esq. of Chadderton, were 
as follows : — 

Lawrence Chadderton, Master of Ema- 
nuel College, Cambridge.^ 
Sir John Byrom, Knight. 
Edward Standish. 



* See some memoirs of his life inserted in this work. 



36 

William Radcliffe, of Foxdeuton, El 
Richard Asheton, of Oldham. 
Richard Tetlow, of the Chamber. 
John Cudworth. Thomas Crompton. 
Edmund Taylor (the elder), and 
Edmund Tetlow, gent. 

The rent payable for the said grant of 
half an acre k ■ rilver two-pence, it 
Minded, on the feast of s * Jamei the 

Apostle.- The children sent here, by the 
Original trust deed w * are to be instrn. 
in the English, Greek, and Latin tong 
and withal in good manners also.'* — The 
master derives his salary from the ground- 
rent of the said premises. — The present 
master is the Rev. Wm. Whiter, minbtei 
of St. Peters Chapel. 



37 



Saint Peter's Chapel. 

The Chapel of St. Peter, in Oldham, 
was erected in the year 1765, by the volun- 
tary contributions of the inhabitants. It 
is a neat, plain stone building, of the 
modern style, and will contain a nume- 
rous congregation, having a gallery sur- 
rounding the whole of the interior. In 
the west end of the chapel are two pic- 
tures ; one the Jewish Lawgiver, and the 
other the High Priest : the colouring is 
uncommonly rich, and there is a peculiar 
felicity in the distribution of the lights 
and shades not commonly found in a pic- 
ture exhibited in a country place of wor- 
ship. The pencil, though not of the finest 
kind, and exhibiting at first view a care- 
lessness of execution, yet is a very rare 
and a peculiar pencil, and such a one 
where the painter makes every touch 
appear to breathe of vitality. 

This chapel was considerably enlarged 
in the year 1804, by the exertions of the 
present James Lees, Esq., of Wallshaw- 
F 



38 



house, the then warden, and a very 
valuable and fine-toned organ was erected 
over the altar, on the new eastern gal- 
lery. The Rev. — Dover, who was after- 
wards removed to Castleton in Derbyshire, 
was the first minister of this chapel ; to 
him succeeded the Rev. Thomas Fawcett ; 
on whose removal Hugh Grimshaw offi- 
ciated till his death, when the Rev. G« H. 
Percy became minister ; who„ on his 
removal to Liverpool, was succeeded by 
the present minister, the Rev. William 
Winter. There is a subscription made by 
the congregation of this chapel, for which 
the minister thereof is to give lectures every 
Thursday evening, during the summer 
season, in his chapel. — There are a great 
number of sunday-schools also established 
In this parish, the scholars of which, under 
the direction of their different masters, 
attend here in summer, and at the celebra- 
tion of their anniversary, appear in very 
pleasing groups of infantile order and 
discipline. 



39 



The following list of baptisms and 
burials at this chapel for the last 22 years, 
may serve to illustrate the amazing increase 
in the population of this township, in the 
short period before mentioned. 



Year. 


Births. Burials. 


Year. 


Births, 


Burial*. 


1795 


.. 37 .. 


32 


1806 


.. 327 


.. 84 


1796 


.. 34 .. 


27 


1807 


.. 370 


.. 86 


1797 


.. 66 .. 


38 


1808 


.. 332 


.. 158 


1798 


• • 88 • • 


77 


1809 


.. 415 


• • 85 


1799 


.. 100 .. 


31 


1810 


.. 394 


.. 146 


1800 


-. 133 .. 


86 


1811 


.. 431 


.. 117 


1801 


.. 99 .. 


103 


1812 


.. 370 


.. io£ 


1802 


.. 200 .. 


88 


1813 


.. 349 


.. 133 


1803 


.. 119 .. 


129 


1814 


.. 436 


.. 123 


1804 


.. 293 .. 


81 


1815 


.. 503 


., 84 


1805 


.. 307 .. 


83 


1816 


. . 456 


.. 106 



40 



Old Methodist Chapel. 

The Methodists, a religious body of 
people well known, have long had a stand- 
ing in this place ; but on their first ap- 
pearance in this town they met with very 
great opposition; to prove this, and to 
amuse our readers, we extract the follow- 
ing from a narrative of the life of one John 
Murlin, who was born in the parish of 
St. Stephen, Brenwell, in Cornwall, about 
August 1722. I suppose he was one of 
the first noted preachers of the sect that 
ever appeared in the then village of 
Oldham : his words are, " At a village 
called Oldham, about 7 miles from Man- 
chester (a place famous through all that 
country for daring and desperate wicked- 
ness) we had heavy persecution for a 
season : as I was going to preach in the 
street one sabbath day, two constables, 
with a great mob at their heels, took me 
into custody, for riotous behaviour in 
singing about two verses of a hymn, as the 
people were coming out of the church ; 



41 

they took me to a jmblic-house ^. — The 
constables and their assistants were soon 
special drunk, and began to quarrel with 
each other ; from words they soon went 
to blows. — The house where we were, 
belonged to the clerk of the parish, whose 
son thinking me ill used, took my part. 
One of the constables took him by the 
collar, on which he wrested the staff out 
of the drunken constable's hand, and broke 
his head with it: the next day I was taken 
before a justice, and bound over to the 
quarter sessions ; but I traversed, and had 
it tried at the assizes ; from thence the 
cause was sent back to the quarter sessions, 
where it was given against me/' In the 
year 1775 however, the converts to Method- 
ism were so numerous, that a commodious 
chapel was erected for their use; but it 
soon becoming too small, another was built, 
considerably larger. This erection ap- 
pears to have been opened for religious 



* The present Shoulder of Muttou. 
F 2 



42 

worship by the founder of the sect (Mr* 
John Wesley): the following memorial is 
placed over the pulpit, " This preaching- 
house was opened April 2nd, 1790, by the 
Rev. John Wesley, M. a. who, after a 
long life spent in doing good, was taken 
to glory March 2nd 1791, in the 88th year 
pf his age." This chapel is generally al- 
lowed to be handsome, and is respectably 
and numerously attended. The present 
ministers appointed by conference to 
preach therein, are Messrs. France and 
Miller. There are about 300 Methodists 
in the town, and in the neighbouring so- 
cieties above 500 more. The whole of 
the villages in which these societies are 
established, from w r hat is termed the Old- 
ham circuit, containing about 850 mem- 
bers. 



43 



Baptists* Chapel, top of Mahchesier-streetr 

This was originally built as a place 
of worship for the Methodist New Con- 
nection, usually styled the Kilamites. It 
is a small handsome structure of brick, 
and will contain a considerable number of 
people. It was lately purchased by the 
Baptists, and was opened as a meeting- 
house for that sect, September 6th, 1816. 
Mr. Stevens, of Manchester, opened the 
above in the morning; after which Mr. 
Tricket, of Bramley, baptized 14 persons 
at the reservoir at Hollinwood, they not 
having convenience at that time to per- 
form it within the chapel. In the after- 
noon Mr. Steadman, of Bradford, preached 
on the order of a gospel church ; during 
his discourse a church was formed, and 
the sacrament afterwards administered to 
them by Mr. Hargreaves of Ogden ; and 
in the evening a sermon was delivered 
by Mr. Fisher of Liverpool. 



u 



The Unitarian Chapel, Lord-street, 

Is very pleasantly situated on a gentle 
eminence, overlooking the town, in the 
street denominated Lord-street. The erec- 
tion is a neat brick building, and is a small 
but comparitively handsome structure. Its 
situation, perhaps, may contribute consi- 
derably to its appearance, being detached 
from any other building, which places it 
in a conspicuous point of view. It was 
erected by the voluntary subscriptions of 
the Unitarian brethren of the different 
congregations in England, and others, and 
was opened for religious worship on the 
4th of January, 1816. At an early hour 
of that day the place was crowded with an 
audience, some of whom had travelled 
15 or 20 miles, regardless of the incle- 
mency of the season. — Mr. W. Johns con- 
ducted the devotional exercises, and Mr. 
J. Grundy preached from Joshua, the 
24th chapter, and 15th verse, " Choose 
you this day whom you will serve. " 



45 



Independent Methodist Meeting-house, 

George-street. 

This building, which is situate at a 
place formerly named Jackson's Pit, con- 
sists of a neat and commodious room, and 
was first opened by Mr. Hoole of Man- 
chester, Mr. Clark of Sheffield, and Mr. 
Higson of Blackburn. — The Independent 
Methodists are a branch of the Wesleyans, 
who separated from the old connexion 
some years ago. The peculiar points in 
which they differ from the followers of 
Wesley, as communicated to me by one of 
the sect, are these, viz. They receive no 
rents for seats ; and they accept of no 
ministers but those who voluntarily devote 
their time and labours freely and without 
expectation of any kind ©f emolument. — 
The society's funds are applied in support 
of the cause, and to the relief of their poor 
members. These are the material tenets 
in which they differ from the old Con- 
aexion of Methodists. 



40 



Places of Amusement. 

The inhabitants of Oldham do not 
seem at all partial to the histrionic art ; 
though perhaps sometimes as good a les- 
son, at least one that leaves as lasting an 
impression on the mind, may be received 
from the heroes of the sock and buskin, as 
from those who are appointed to the office 
of inculcating sentiments of virtue and 
morality from the pulpit. We admit them 
places where the vicious frequently resort, 
and so they do within the walls of those 
sanctuaries where nothing impure should 
come, at least where none but those 
who feel a repugnance at the moment for 
every kind of impiety; but I am not 
intending to quarrel with my townsmen 
for this indifference to theatricals, every 
person has his peculiar way of thinking^ 
on different subjects. 



47 



The Late Theatre, 

Now employed as a school, I cannot 
forbear mentioning : it is situate very near 
the old Methodist Chapel, in Manchester- 
street, and was as convenient a place as 
any that has yet been used for the pur- 
pose of public exhibitions in this town ; 
and it is surely no discredit thereto to 
say, that the darling child of Thalia, 
Mrs. Jordan, was not ashamed of treading 
its homely boards. It happened, however, 
rather unfortunately for the proprietor 
thereof, that during an exhibition therein, 
some years ago, the floor gave way, just 
in front of the stage *, and the confusion 
of tha audience, occasioned by the crash 
of the timbers, and the screams of the des- 



* This iiappemed at the very time when one of the musi- 
cians was enchanting the audience wifh one of the best of 
his many concertos so much admired ; and it was believed 
that a triumviate of tha gods Orpheus and Apollo aided by 
iEolus, enraged at his performance, so superior to their own* 
had concerted the destruction of the place. 



43 

cending multitude, who fell together in 
one confused heap into the lower apart- 
ment, may be better imagined than de- 
scribed : providentially not one of them 
was materially injured. It operated, how- 
ever, so forcibly upon the minds of many 
of the females present, that though the 
place was rendered as secure as it could 
possibly be after this accident, yet the 
resort thereto was ever after considerably 
diminished. 



News and Billiard Rooms. 

There is a very neat billiard-room 
fitted up for public amusement at the back 
part of the Roe-buck inn, in King-street, 
which is in length 21 feet by 15J, con- 
taining a very handsome table 12 \ feet in 
length, by 6|. Adjoining thereto is a 
commodious news-room, 15 feet by 15, 
furnished with a good atlas, neat furni- 
ture; and in a gilt frame at the head of 
the room is a print of the race for the 
St. Ledger stake, run over the Doncaster 



49 

course in 1812— perhaps a print never 
equalled for the number and variety of 
characters and grotesque figures exhibited 
therein. 

Inns. 

The principal of these for the accom- 
modation of travellers, are the Angel in 
High-street, and the Spread Eagle in Man- 
chester-street. There are likewise several 
other respectable ones, such as the Roe- 
buck, in King-street; the Swan in High- 
street ; the Friendship, Oldham-lane ; and 
the Beaver, in Manchester-street, below 
the 

Post-Office, 

Where the mail arrives from Man- 
chester, at half past nine o'clock every 
morning, and returns every evening at 
five, except on Sundays, when it departs 
for Manchester at half past two, bringing 
and taking with him all the mails both 
north and south. 

G 



50 



Societies. 

There is a Subscription Library 
established here, containing a tolerable 
collection of well-assorted books. There 
is also a society established for medical 
relief, and one recently for visiting and 
relieving the poor. 

There are also two Freemasons' lodges; 
one at the Angel, and another at the Hare 
and Hounds ; two chapters of Royal Arch 
Masons ; one at each of the above inns : 
and at the Hare and Hounds before-men- 
tioned, is established a conclave of Knight- 
Templars. 

There are also societies of Odd-Fel- 
lows, both of the Union and Independent 
Orders. One of the Union, at the Royal 
Oak, Royton-street ; and one of the In- 
dependent at the Nelson's Ball, Church- 
street; and also one of the same Order 
at the Duke of York, Yorkshire-street. 
Other societies, of Orangemen, are held at 
the Stag's Head, West-street ; and the Dog 
and Duck, Eagle-street. There are like- 



51 

wise numerous benefit societies in the 
town and neighbourhood. 

Residences. 

At Hollinwood near Oldham, ape 
several good houses, inhabited by Mr*. 
Wroe and son, Mr. Duncufft, Mr. Gee, &c. 
At Copsterhill is a neat old mansion, the 
residence of the relict of Mr. Jonah Harrpp. 

Bankside — The residence of Daniel 
Lees, Esq. lies south of the town, as yon 
enter it from Manchester, on the side of 
a hill pleasantly declining towards a south- 
western sun. It was a very rugged, un- 
pleasant place, when the present possessor 
removed thereto ; but some gardens having 
been beautifully laid out below the house, 
contribute much to its appearance. His 
extensive cotton-mill adjoins the house; 
and he has improved the land around his 
habitation to great advantage. 

Westwood — The habitation of the 
late William Clegg, Esq., and now of his 



52 

relict Mrs. Wm. Clegg, is a neat-looking 
mansion, lying on the west of the town, be- 
yond the utmost extent of West-street, on 
the new road to Middleton. 

Bent-grange — The house of Abra- 
ham Clegg, Esq., situate at the -.vest end of 
the town, and terminating the street called 
West-street. — Its appearance would add 
very much to the beauty of the street, and 
might be viewed from the entrance into 
the same, but for the obstruction of a cer- 
tain building, which totally destroys the 
view of it and of the scenery of a pleasant 
part of the country behind. 

Lower-bent — This house belongs to 
James Clegg, Esq. and lies in the same 
direction from the market-place as the 
two before-mentioned ; it is a stone man- 
sion, plain but neat, and has an exten- 
sive garden and pleasure- walks adjoining 
thereto. On the opposite side of the road 
lies the small but elegant retreat of Mrs. 
John Clegg, with a pleasant parterre m 
front. 



53 

Orleans-house — This newly erected 
mansion, lying north-west from the centre 
of the town, and belonging to Mr. Joseph 
Rowland, to appearance from the plan 
projected (though not yet finished), pro- 
mises to be as elegant in its appearance 
as any one in the vicinity of the town. — 
And his extensive cotton works adjoining, 
form a prominent feature in the general 
view of Oldham. 

Frank-hill — The seat of Thomas 
Barker, Esq. stands on a very fine eleva- 
tion, north of the town, commanding a 
most extensive prospect of all the circum- 
jacent country. — It is a handsome brick 
edifice, nearly surrounded by rich meadow 
and pasture land, and he has laid out 
some delightful gardens and shrubberies 
adjoining . The scite of this building, within 
the recollection of the author, was as bleak 
and barren a spot as could well be imagined 
to exist in the neighbourhood of a village 
such as Oldham then was. 

G % 



54 

Goldhurst-lane — The residence of 
Mr. Edmund Whitehead, is a little below 
Frank-hill ; and on the top of the ascent, 
on the old road to Royton, stands the house 
of Mrs. Scholes, at a place called Pleasant- 
spring'. 

Higher-groves — The late residence 
of Messrs. Henry and Thomas Henshaw. 
This house was perhaps the plainest edifice 
of brick that ever belonged to any gentle- 
men of equal property — like the original 
proprietors, it was unadorned and substan- 
tial. But John Taylor, Esq. the present 
resident, has done as much as could be 
done without totally destroying the original 
form (which perhaps he wished to retain) ; 
to render it comfortable, and give it an 
air of respectability he has added a green 
parterre in front, and palisaded it round 
with iron, changed the door and windows 
for a more modern size and form, before 
which improvment there certainly was 
a disgustful meanness in its appearance, that 
ill accorded with that spirit which genei 



55 

pervades the breasts of men who have 
ranked so high in the commercial world. 

Church-lane — In which are situated 
the houses of John Lees, Esq. (lord of the 
manor of Oldham), and his son-in-law, 
William Chippindale, Esq. two handsome 
modern-built houses. His son, Edward 
Lees, Esq. occupies Wernith-cottage, near 
the original mansion of Wernith-hall, now 
the property of his father, and which was 
the original manor-house of the Oldham's 
of Oldham, of which more hereafter. 

King-street — Contains the houses of 
Messrs. William, Joseph, and John Jones ; 
the two first are handsome houses, the 
ground in front thereof being laid out in 
a very pleasing way, exhibiting in summer 
chaplets of all the varieties and beauties 
which Flora can display. — In King-street 
also is the house of Mr. Bellott, surgeon, 
which he has been at great pains to im- 
prove, and which certainly has now a neat 
and genteel appearance. A step from the 



5(3 

street called Yorkshire-street at the bottom 
of a beautiful garden, stands 

RETIRO — The habitation of Mr. 
Cocks, surgeon ; to a person of a solitary 

or scientific turn of mind, where could he 
select a happier mansion — retired from the 
hustle of business, and in the very bosom 
the town ? 

RHODES-HOUSE — The property of H. 

OW, Esq. stands on a gentle eminence, 
a little further than Yorkshire-street, near 
the termination of Bow-street. It is a very 
neat structure, modern-built, with some 
tasteful gardens laid out on a piece of 
ground -A little further, just 

as you enter Bridge-street, stands 

WALLSHAW-HOUSB — The habitation 
of James Lees, Esq. which is a neat house, 
and he has rendered an uncomfortable and 
barren piece of ground, fronting his house, 
as beautiful a garden as any in the neigh- 
bourhood ; and if contrast lias effect in 



contributing to baauty, this effect will ap- 
pear with all its force here:— for this 
garden amply corrects that defect in space 
which is wanting in front of the house. 

Acre-bank — A neat, brick house, the 
present residence of Messrs. Radcliffes, 
lies in the vicinity of 

Pit-bank — This beautiful mansion, 
built by Mr. Dunkerly, but now the pro- 
perty of Daniel Lees, Esq. is the most 
elegant building in the township. It is 
situate on a gently-ascending eminence, 
commanding a fine southern prospect* 
Before the house is a rich piece of meadow 
land, and immediately in front is a most 
elegant parterre and shrubbery, fancifully 
laid out with an artificial tumulus, which, 
with the gardens adjoining, render it a 
most desirable situation. If taste — if, ele- 
gance of design — if nature assisted by the 
fullest powers of art, have charms to attract 
the most insensible, and to fix the most 
vacant eye — here is a luxury . 



58 

LoweR'CLArksfield— During a long 
period this place has been the residence of 
one of the many families inhabiting this 
neighbourhood, of the name of Lees. — The 
estate was purchased in 1625, by John Lees, 
from Sir George Booth, of Dunham-Massey> 
in the county of Chester. — It appears that 
the Lees family occupied the estate long 
before this time, as tenants to the ancient 
family of Booth, who possessed large 
demesnes in this neighbourhood, and whose 
representative, the present earl of Stam- 
ford, is still possessed of extensive property 
in the neighbouring parish of Ashton- 
under-line John Lees, the purchaser of 
the estate, died in 1684, and by his will 
devised the same to his grandson John, son 
of James Lees, of Clarksfield , who died in his 
father's life time. — In 1724, John Lees, the 
grandson, died, and by his will devised 
the estate to his son John ; from whom it 
was transmitted in 1750, by will to John 
Lees, son of the last ; and by him in 1 766, 
it was devised to the late Mr. John Lees of 
Ashton, his eldest son, who resided there 



59 



In the early part of his life. — Since his and 
Mrs. Lees' death, the estate has become the 
property of Mr. John Lees of Fairfield. The 
house is a plain stone building in the modern 
taste, consisting of a centre and wings, and 
stands on a declivity fronting the south.™ 
The situation is very pleasant, and com- 
mands an extensive view of the valley 
through which the Medlock takes its 
course. — Down the valley westward, the 
prospect is very extensive, being- bounded 
more immediately by the hills of Oheshi e 
and Derbyshire, and in the back ground by 
those of Staffordshire and North Wales; 
eastward the view is confined by the bold 
rocks and wild hills of orreenfield, and 
other parts of Saddlewortk. 

« A wide domain, 



And rich the soil if purple heiiih were grain/' 

Immediately in front appears the 
village of Lees ; and behind, o rather a 
little on the right appears t!u bla ;<k moor- 
land of Boardinaii's-Edge, making a 



CO 

Singular contrast with the comparatively 
richer lands surrounding it. The lesser 
hills and grounds within the range of the 
prospect from Clarksfield, remind us 
forcibly by their names *, of forests now 
laid waste and bare; we think of states 
and manners long since changed and gone, 
ana our imagination reverts to former 
days, and to the athletic forms of our 
bold and hardy ancestors, 

u A stock of striplings strong of heart, 
Brought up from babes, with beef and bread/' 

who were then accustomed to rouse the 
bounding hart, and cheer the opening 
hound, and pursue with eager avidity the 
destruction of the wild tenants of the 
woods. But now, instead of 

<c A dreary desert and a gloomy waste, 
To sayage beasts and savage laws a prey/' 

we are cheered with the sight of cultivated 



* Hartshead, Roebuck-Loe, Sbelders-Loe. 



61 

nature ; and though we have not yet to 
boast of the richness and fertility of some 
of the newly inclosed lands, yet we may 
boast of the population and mauufactures. 
Seldom do we see so great a change as that 
of Greenacres-moor, where lately so 
desolate and dreary was it, that a solitary 
ass might long strive and scarcely could 
crop a mouthful of herbage. It has within 
these few years been inclosed, and now in 
lieu of peat and bog-moss, it presents to 
view well cultivated fields, and flourishing 
plantations which all seem to have been 
extorted from the niggard hand of nature, 
by the persevering arm of industry. 
When improved nature is the subject, we 
must not forget 

New clarksfield— The property 
and residence of James Lees, Esq. — This 
estate, part of the old Clarksfield estate, 
is on the very verge of this late barren 
moor before-named. In the recent im- 
provements of the present owner, we have 
a striking proof how much art may do 
H 



62 

for nature, when aided by industry and 
perseverence. — The house, a handsome 
modern-built brick edifice, fronts the road 
from Oldham to Lees. It is ornamented 
with numerous plantations, well culti- 
vated and handsome gardens and pleasure 
grounds. 

Loeside — The residence of the late 
Mr. Jonah Andrew, whose memory will 
be long revered and cherished by the 
author, from early recollections. — The 
house is a neat stone building, in the 
modern form, standing on the very steep 
declivity of the hill called Loes, and com- 
mands a very extensive prospect to the 
south ; but step to the plantation and gar- 
den behind the house, the prospect is still 
more grand and extensive ; and yet go 
another step higher, to the top of the hill, 
and 

" Heav'ns, what a goodly prospect spreads 
around, 



63 

Of hills, and dales, and woods, and lawns, and 

spires, 
And glitt'ring towns, and gilded streams, till all 
The circling landscape into smoke decays." 

From henoe we have a view of that 
romantic valley, which in many places 
forms the boundary of the parish, I mean 
Rocher-Vale, and the beautiful valley of 
Bardsley. 

If the recollection of early scenes 
should influence the author to expatiate a 
little on this valley, though not exactly 
within the line prescribed for this history, 
yet I hope the reader will indulge me in 
this liberty* as some of my remarks may 
generally apply to the history of this part 
of the country at large, and also may in some 
degree be illustrative of our subject, by 
giving the reader an idea of this part 
of the parish, as connected with that of 
Ashton-uuder-line. 

Here nature spreads before the view 
Her chequer'd robe of many & hue. 



64 

Barren cliffs and mountains high, 

Tire the slow-ascending eye ; 

Whilst the brown wood's darksome shade, 

Seems for melancholy made ; 

And to yonder smiling farm 

Gires a brighter, lov'lier charm. 

Here Medlock rolls his waters by, 
Withdrawing slowly from the eye : 
Each flow'r that on its border grows, 
It gently kisses as it flows ; 
And ev'ry pebble, o'er and o'er 
It seems at parting to deplore. 
Reluctant onward still it goes, 
And sullen, sad and silent flows, 
Till lost amidst the distant view, 
It bids the happy Vale adieu ! 

There is in this valley, a little above 
the bed or channel of the brook Medlock, 
and immediately below a weir or dam, a 
hole hi the rock, perfectly smooth and cir- 
cular, about six feet in breadth, and three 
in depth, shaped much like a boiler or 
iron pot ; and within the recollection of 
the author, there w r as another, much 
smaller, on the opposite bed of the brook? 



65 

the diameter of which might be about nine 
inches, and the depth at least eighteen, 
of a perfectly circular shape within, and 
as smooth as the best artist could have 
worked it. The latter one, I am sorry to 
say, is now buried under the embankment 
raised for the support of the said weir 
or dam. These excavations were called 
Pots and Pans by the country people, 
and had a great resemblance to those of 
the same name in Sad die worth ; the latter 
however are on an eminence, while the 
former are in the very depth of the vale. 
The most superficial observer could never 
have supposed the smaller excavations to 
have been effected by the force of the 
current. 

Of the excavation still visible, if more 
closely examined, there appears a strong 
probability of its being a work of art ; for 
besides its extreme regularity and smooth- 
ness, it is so situated that the current could 
not produce such an effect, being pro- 
tected from its force by a projecting part 
of the rock, on that side which is the most 
H 2 



66 + 

perfect. The other side, indeed, appears 
to have sustained some injury from the 
water washing against it. 

To what end these excavations were 
made (and made they must be) it is not 
possible to ascertain. — In Saddleworth* 
Todmerden, in the parish of Halifax, and 
various other places not far distant, are to 
be found similar remains, which are con- 
sidered by skilful and learned Antiquaries 
to be the work of the Druids, after their 
expulsion from Mona in Anglesea. W$ 
know that they retreated northward, and 
continued long after their extermination 
from South Britain ; and their favourite 
places for celebrating their mystical rites, 
were the " highest of hills or lowest of 
valiies." Query — Do not some of their 
descendents still exist, who after a lapse 
of ages, preserve still perfect traits of 
synonimies. 

" But that I am forbid 



To tell the secrets of my prison-house, 
I could a tale unfold " 



67 

Another circumstance adds to the 
probability of our conjectures — the con- 
tiguity of the place called Bardsley, or 
the Bard's Field. The bards were their 
historians, their heraldsj and poets of their 
day, and composed the hymns used by 
them when celebrating their mystical 
rites. 

Waterloo — The house and residence 
of Mr. George Nelson, is situate by the 
side of a small brook which discharges 
its waters into the river Medlock, and was 
anciently denominated " Sheepwashes." 
It is a neat modern brick building, and 
has been much improved since the present 
resident purchased it. It is situate in that 
valley which lies below and is south-east 
from the town of Oldham. The garden 
and shrubberies, as well as the land, will 
in a few years be objects of attraction, 



GQ 



Ancient Man 

WERNITH-HALL — Originally the man- 
sion of the Oldham's of Oldham, I 
property of John Lees, Esq. of Oldl 
Its appearance beap atiqnity, tho 

devoid of any tiling ornamental ; it 
the hoary look of two Centuries at !• 
and donbtleSB within its wall- have I 

many festive meetings. Man} ■ time I 

our paternal and mate] : ihin 

these walls 

" Spent the A 
11 Oa the light fantaal 

" 'till the douh; 

Their BC€ < - of nvi | iment a: 
they aie -one 

11 To that bourne from whence 
returns 

We are exhibiting" our giddy Itmndl 

mirth and vanity, and shortly v 

" Sleep as sound as they d 



Matthew de Oldham, father in the 13th 
year of King John. She wjkg married to 
one of the Cudworths. hear Oldham. 

John Cudworth <- 

of Cudworth, Idham. 



Richard < 

Geoifry ? 

John Cud 



I'-r-liin*. 



1st child 
Ralph Cud- = fane daatr. 

worth, obit. B of Arthur 
in reign of x isbtOB <>1 
Elizabeth, — Rochd 



ik! 
El. I h . eahalgh, 

riiudleshome. 



John Cud- 
worth, of 
Warmth, ob. 
1662,a*e8tf 



Alice. daugh- 
ter of \n- 
thonv MotS- 
h v. 



Joshua Cud- Ann, dr. of J. 

worth, of ss Ho km It of 
Wernith, Holcroh. 



I 



Joshua Cuduorth, who sold Wt 

I 

John Cudworth living in 170(1, 



ThotiMU 

♦ To Sir Ralph I Mill llll, af MuMIe Yorkshire. TV? 

Listers sold il to Minim Parker and Sid- of OMhtJB. for 
30,0001. It is oulv about 100 acres bi 

* page 69. 



69 



The land belonging to this estate is 
doubtless the most fertile, and in the 
highest state of cultivation of any in the 
township. [See annexed PetftyrM. 



Chamber-hall — Situate on an emi- 
nence, commands a very extensive pros- 
pect of the country south. Manchester 
appears full in the perspective* It is a 
stone mansion, very handsome, considering 
its antiquity. The cottage of Chamber, 
the present residence of the curate of 
Hollinwood, is a neat small brick building*. 

Mated B little below the hail, 
with some pleasant shrubberies, walks and 
ens adjoining thereto, rery i 

laid out. — It was lately the habitation of 

Mr. Archibald Bell. — The following it,, 
and date are over the door of a detached 
building near the hall, H.VV. 1G 18. This 
place was anciently the residence of a 
ily of the name of Tetlow, the first of 
whom married a daughter of the ancient 
family of the Oldhams of Oldham. 



Matthew de Oldham, father of the following- Margery Oldham of Oldham, was living in the 13th 
year of King John, Mie was the i I I ill , and was married to 

one of the Cudworths. Here follows the Pedigree of the Cudworths of Wernith, near Oldham. 



'orth, in the County of York ) m 



Vlargery, daughter and oo- 
leir of Matt. Oldham of Oldham. 



Richard died withouUssue. 

Geotrry visit. 5th Edw. IV. = 

John Cudworth of Wernith= 

Ralph Cudworth: 


'Elizabeth, daughter of Stephen of Nuthurst. 



IphCud- a Janedautr. Elizabetli=George Newton, 

r ■' '-"■■■■ of Newton, in 



worth, obit. § of Arlli 
in reign of =• A* 1 " 
Elizabeth, =- R( 



hard Revel, Alice=Thos. Greenbalg 



< 


ley. 












Joshua Cud- 
worth, of 
Wernith, 


Hoi 


dr. of Jo 
roft of 
roft. 




1 Fr l nc . s R . d l ard An 


houy Thoma 


. Daiie! 


MJ.C* 


orth, w 
th (livin 


g in 17GG, 


nith* 

iDuL 


= Margaret Lackey, 
lin) = Mary, daughter of Job 


nBond. 








70 

The following is the pedigree of thh, 
ancient family : — 



Adarn de Tetlow, Bva] Ufai W..h< hm I 
near Mancheiter, ' Adami de Oldham de 
Eccles. 



-Robert de Richard de Tetlow, Adam dc 

Tetlow. deWetnith, i,p, T< tlow. 



Richard dc Tetlow, 

dc W rrnith i 

Chainh 

— i 

Wernith. 

—Richard de Tetlow, 

\ ivens 1370. 

low, 
I obit 1416, 

— 1 w, 

illl. 

—Robert de Tetlow, de 

i imber all,:, \\ , i - 

Mliohaad de Tetlow, nth, \i\it i 

dc l'lumbei,\iv.l 177. 

\ :liur deTr 
•iibrr.Mv 
--Arthur dc Tetl 

de Chamber, i;>17. — John , of 

Chaiub 



-Lawrence Tetlow of 

Chamber. — Richard Tetlow, of 

Chamber, 1572. 



on& heir, Rich. 
Tetlow, of Chamber. 



2d.^uii,tdmunclTetlow 



Robert Tetlow, of Chamber, vixit 1631. 



George Wood, of 
Chamber. Jure ux. 



Jane Tetlow, daugh- 
ter dc heire*.i. 



John Wood, of London. 

G€org< V John Wood sold Chamber inlll K6. 

Then it I to the Wriirlevs and Wrocs ; 

and it i* now the propett] ;g, llopwood, 

!!• ron, and Starker, Ekqrfc 



72 



55 



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hi CJC 

-p«PQ 



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ft — ■ 


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O <M ■£ X 

g d *" 



73 



fc€ 2 ^ H 

£3 a- ^ < 



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pa 



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COD 

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jg 

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"SB 



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74 



oily of ill** ( ■ 
og considei - in ( >i<i ! . . 1 

(hat fain 



John Gran 

I)'. - fh. 

Ed n . G 

?i !.. L78S. 

Edn I 

born i: ._. S Id 
Culcbetfa in L7I 



Jam ( ! u .'.«: ... - i 

I of 

jton. 

of Bwtoac, 
ibire, m, \j. 



Chn < 

GRl J and Mil 

connected, form ■ 00 
I Gre< leated on 

On 1 1 i If In- the lidfl of tip "hi road lead* 

hlg from Ohlh i')i to M* 

i> hut a tVw pa'-es below.- It appears by 



- r sunder fHftw 



to 

the most ancient writings 1 have seen, that 
led Gfeenacre, as being the 
top part of Gre -moor, and \va> 

pei : <t cultivated. It certainly bore 

the name BB tong Blbce 0. 

TTie author baa in hi> poi □ a 

Cbpy i l .lorandum- ( ! 

the till ft talc, w rit- 

ten i th, \> bo 1 Mip- 

po 6f J Ofehtia y iniw mill, 

dai of lioUi oft - From 

those I copied the p&ragraph re«| - 
t hf e ibcfei led 

under the I;* I, ten 

tied 
to lia\ c been built. 

denominate Wei niih a town, and afab .-(ate 
Y l • "i nith \va> 

l»'i: nt. w ith all t'.e evidences fur the sini", 

on the 2l of 

m Wil- 
liam de Wernith, (son of Adam de Old- 

nam de Iv od brother of Eva, who 

was tie :' the first Adam do Tetlow* 

of Chamber-hall) granted it and his waste 



76 



called Greenacres-moor, and certain hills 
called Abranvhills lying by Greenacres- 
moor, to his son Adam." — In the village 
is a chapel of the Independents. 'I 
preaching-home was established by the 
Rer. Robert Constantino, who had been 
minister of Oldham* church, but was 
Ejected. He first began fa in a 

thatched bouse there. Th< 
place was the present habitation ol Mr. 

John W 

they removed ■ little Lower dc 
village, to the hou> ! by 

James Heywood. This was the tir>t place 
properly established as a ohapelj the dust 

deed of Whloh May loth |( 

The present ohapel was th of 

Maj i i B9| bj Mr. Bruce from LI 
Mr. Simpson from Bolton, and -Mr. Bl 
burn from Tockholee. The Sund v fol- 
lowing, Mr. James baptized l 
time therein. 



• Se< 1UI of the at OldkftB* 



77 

The ministers who have officiated at 
Greenacres, from the time of the founder: 



1. 


R. Constantine. 


7. — James. 


2. 


— Denton, buried 


8. — Hale, (now at 




at Oldham. 


HeckmondwN kc.) 


1 


— Burgess, of the 


9. — Coles, of Mid- 




BurL r t *sse> of Wa- 


dlewieh, huried 




terbonses. 


at Bake well. 


1. 


— Harrison. 


10. — Jenkinson. 


'). 


— Gladstone. 


1 1. — GmHandi the 


<;. 


— Harrop. 


present Minister. 



The chapel is a handsome edifice of 
stone, and will contain 500 people. There 
i* a monument in the cast end thereof, 
commemorative of Mr. Jenkinson, the late 
minister, who died May 23, 18 d 29 

six cottages, with the parsonage- 
house (a neat building: a few paces from 
the chapel), ami four acres of freehold 
I md, constitute the salary of the minister, 
with the additional profits arising from an 
adjoining- handsome and well-built school. 



* There ure ilso tuu \aults with monumental insorip • 
Uons : one belonging to Mr. WinterboUoni, of (!ri;cn-lum 
nnd the other to Mr. DilUillMMlk, of Oldham, tlBpUt9-WoHt«V. 

i 2 



75! 



Glodtcick. 

A VILLAGE situate on th< f a hill 

in the township of Oldham, and about 
miles from the town itaotf, bi 9 I b pi 

\ cry ancient origin, TIhhiJi I <-.-n scarcely 

think that it received Itl nam** h<>m t lie 

Roman- under (lu\idius, and thence 

called Claiidiu ick, jii rmnpliment t 

BS some have rnn jerti: i ed. A 

Urloawick, Mr. John Vl 'Intel 

dead, published some- torioiU H on 

this place, and a certain moi hrain- 

lus near it Y: which appeared m any 

>. in Mr. rr$icot'fl M met* 
he supposes, that toe Kbman aj *till 

perfectly trtsibieal Street, iieai Hollin 
and whieh connected the i Man- 

cuniuni (nou with Castle- 

vhaw and Castle-hill in Saddlcworth, 

passed through this village, — 1 do 



* This tiimulu* 
Rfctp, Hie owner of the U ad 



exactly conceive V. is so clearly as Mr. W ., 
though I cannot withold my approbation 
otktk rfemarkA It i ^ very certain the said 
• 1 must l:avo past either through this 
village or near it, because of the direcf 
liri: to connect Maneuniuni and 

,11 of which are 
I, ami in fact, exhibit in- 
p] <»of- of i- < '.> • oi j in. 
in irivi 
implie ' nent, and 

Ml rtthet to rtlilil 'he 

Hi] IIJ R i itten 

Claud" I, that in the ;Mh year of the 

roi£'ii of Charles I. tho land a djotoJ 
thifl vil I by Thomas Cotterell, 

\]<<\. of Loud -n, to one Alexander Lomax 
(who was fth i of one Nathan 

Lomax, a Suiireon, who practNod at Dol- 
<tile, near Ol.il am.) in that lease; and in 
another conusance of I be place, in 

lb 10. the |»i tee now written Qlud if h?k , is 
there wi itten Glodith,* which not 

i . 



80 

to favour the >upp<^ f [tfl being once 

written Claudiwick (the orthograph; 

wilicfa is DUQCfa furl) 

Claadiwiek than our present mode of? 

it ). By the paid lease it i 
out* of the MHU of the said Alexander 
LopiaXj was a Sl Linen \\ «•!)-• 
thai the manufacture of linen i bad 

ly made its way to "Glodkb," 
which mnel I i thle 

and *.* 

It consist* at preoenl of 1 1 
numl detached and h boill 

i or dwellings, a< 
two poblio»hom I another, a U 

a little below, al Three4an 

Glodwick mar boast of bajring been 
the residence of ti the 

spinning jenny ; foi U ii aol poi rec< ■ 
Mr. Aikin ha his History of Mm* \egter 

its. M that 5ii Richard Ark I was 



It wpfmn Si AthertonUeld 36 acrMof 

laml m tho hauilt •'. 



ei 

the inventor," It was Messrs. Heap and 
Cowper, of Glodwick, who first made 
the spinning jenny, and it was exhibited by 
one John dough, at Manchester, and was 
left there. After which, some person 
from Bolton, perhaps Arkwright himself, 
took a model thereof. 

On the Loes (a hill lying a little above 
the village ) i> a hermitage built in a roman- 
tic fa>hion, with a fantastic garden. The 
appearance of the hermitage is very mean 
without, but the proprietorhas be e n atgreat 
pains to render the Interior comfortable. 
The air of • ole is ludicrously pleasant, 

and would be an ag r eea ble retreai if it had 
been built a little larger. It i> named in 
allusion to the owner's profession, M iV; - 
(juta Pictort 

lioundthorn, 

A sm.all village at the extremity of the 
parish eastward, situate formerly on the 
declivity, but now, being so much en- 
larged, at the foot of the hill called Loes. 
Within the remembrance of the author, 



6£ 

it contained only three or 
cottages; but now it assumes the .appear- 
ance of a second-rate village. Then 
a public-house here, and some ei 
coal works in its vicinity.- -Tradition - 
that the lust cottar* i 'i«»n in 

place was built under the vernal 
spreading branches ol a tall and \ 
hawthorn. 

Ru • 
A i ea(ed at 

tfcf foot I i liie Iftid I; 'II i noitli-enl 

*li«v ,id i« a pla 

T/ir Xetc Earth*. 

The Id meriy tl lenoe 

the pronert\ 
Pauntsey Halifi I > 1 o<6 

. n t re*ivler h£r be] 

lo #atnmi 5.. - f, ld. 



83 



Side of Greenacres-Moor, 

May be considered in itself a village, 
but is so nearly connected with the town, 
that in a few years, if a brisk and flourishing 
<le should again cheer the drooping 
sph its of the mercantile and adventurous 
world, it would be considered as form- 
ing the extreme eastern branch of the 
town of Oldham itself. 

Indeed what was once the 1 men 
heath, then denominated Gre<> -moor, 

ii .io\v so nearly enc:icled by clusters of 
cottager, mills and man sfactorfa s, M to 
form several li ipulMM bia&feb 

all from 01dh;.m itself, \\ hicl: ap- 

pears as the trunk or centre. 

I he eel ii'\ s"lf for not 

noticiug under the head Residences, the 
two houses and large ua&nfactorkifl ad- 
joining the same, belonging to Messrs. 
Moss and Drideoake ; i. are two neat 
brick built mansions, and weie deserving 
of former notice. 



84 



Mitt-Bra* end Waterhead-MQl^ > 
MM-Bottom 

Lib oo the old road to Yorkshire, 
in the neighbourhood of Hems. Moss and 
Brktooake'fl eret 

nected together, they form at U were one 
small vi part of which kfl rftoati 

Oldham, and (he otl - »rth and 

Ashton-onder-line. It ml of « 

Qeoting point Of tOC imunic^ 

of the pai iahee. I poblio- 

hotiaea, and there are several cotton-i 
erected there and Id il bourhpod. 

At Poden- and a place called Crow- 
ley, arc situate two Old mansions, on 
decliviy of the hill abme Mill, ih« 
betnie-named (and by the ini, 
siding there so abbreviated Tl ese places 
have been long recorded in the bool 

this parochial ehapelry. 



* Note a l i Lcin? the residence of Job* BrieHy, a rtry 
eccentric character, who was a carrier to London, and front 
this pint B In iiu liis residence, be was called Old Podcn. IN 
was buried March l?th, 1688. 



85 



Co unth ill, 

Which stands on the very eminence 
of the hill, is the residence of several 
families, particularly of the CteggS.* De- 
ieending from thence, and proceeding 
north-west, we come to the two Barmn- 
s/taiis\ the import of whose names <!• 
nate them places of antiquity. — Barron ,t 
from Beorfi (Saxon), i.e. hills or mounts 

(I hy the Saxons in honour of those 
who died in the field of battle; and Shan\ 
from SchaWi !;« _ < . a thicket or small 
wood. It is evident from the terms, that 
some grefed hattle was fought at or near 
this j)lace. If the revolution ol a thousand 



• It srmis tl < I ilic Clcg^ bare long rended 

lor the following carioai entrj appears in the R< 
of OUllmni Church : M Duiml, ibetonofja f, Jim. 

fit CouitUiill. born the Cjth of June, 1687, and 
Gn euu! n i 15.U ii," 

t GoogQ in his S*pulchr;tl Monuments observes, that 
Barrows are the mubt auci< ut sepulchral mouunieuts in the 
\>oild. 

K 



years hath buried in oblivion every t 
of the event — il'a - on of still more 

recent, uwd perhapi mdre important oc- 
currences, have obl I from the page 
of history ill record- of the transaction, 
onouah tqmik lie very names, to 
farnish a reflect id uith iteeog ideas 
thai BOHM glfeef <t*n tlict hath occurred 
heir-. 

Still further OOl th. ami nlWKm 
extremity of the tuwnship, lip Ua 
Foxholes, sad JFnthvrhill : and west « 
I'niin thence lies the x e of Mr. It. 

Cow per. under ihe frowning I 
Beesom-hilL forming I pleasant contrast 
frith the bleak and arid mountain above 

it. Thence ho Ihe d csoa rt of the hill a*? 

you journey towards the rivulet Bl 
meet frith a duster of cottages denomi- 
nated Vrtmvisvs • here is a public-hmw\ 
and in the vicinity a public school for the 
instruction of youth, built a few years 

SgQ 



87 



Sholver. 

Lies still further west, and is a small 
village of great antiquity. There are a 
considerable number of cottages here, 
though they are not regularly built. The 
houses aie chiefly built of stone, and 
have a rustic appearance. It appears on 
record, that Roger de Ashelou, of the 
ancient family of Ashton-undei-line. did, 
in the seventh year of the reign of Henry 
V., hold 36 acres of land, Lcionging to 
Gilbert Hulme, in Sholver.* 

In the neighbourhood hereof is a 
very pleasant retreat, tin* residence of 
.Mr. Scholes, who long served under the 
banners of his country ; but now, retired 
from the bustle of active life, he enjoys 
in the reclusion lie has here chosen, much 
more comfort perhaps than many whose 
shoulders glitter witii the golden straps oi 
honour. His cottage and garden, de- 



* Seo Percival'6 Manuscripts. 



08 

signed and laid out by himself, it is ini- 
pOMfktfl to pass unnoticed ; they are really 
beautiful ! 

A little north of this, in a small 
thoilffa deep valley 

the Dinylc. This plftOi alf a 

centuiA bj I most tren 

storm of thunder and lighti rhieh 

jet't i token oi Its dreodfiri 
beheld irith admiral I 

Hospital -e: is 

suspended, split by lightning at tfa 

in the said storm, * hile the wearer thi 
gfee iped unhurt. 

• deters, Falhtood, Hurley- Road, and 
Vt't''Cott\ bordering • nship of 

Roj ton, all appear In the compass of the 
landscape ; and passing Broadbent, we 
come to of Mti I b, at 

Whi 
the Kei shavi b famil] 

rep, of CopstOl !: 

;s an old mansion. I 

I een given it ere that pei t el I 



89 

enclosed. A little below lies another 
ancient and respectable-looking mansion, 

-I Dirtcm—, and on the right, Stamp- 
ston<\ an old man-ion. with Lower-h* 
which places have loftg been the residence 
of the Milues. 

Lower Moor % and Higher Mo 

LlKK other places in this township, 

that formerly were moor-land, assume 
very much the appearance of vill. 
being iO crowded with habitations. 

Ill the vicinity lie* Htfrt/.'f/). and the 
ancient residence ot ihc Pott Dill «- 

I091 bo denominated from theii profession. 
There i sent babita- 

i, w 1 1 1 1 i urdeni adjoining i!i<mh. 

oi Mr. Melloi and Mr. 

luel Milne rhs latter, called Hig- 
</{/is>Kiu\ i„ i of antiquity, 

We now ascend the dark and frown* 

lag summit of Oldhatn-tchjc, \\ here within 

the author's recollection stood a rerj 

ancient snmmer-house. From this lofty 
eminence we have « D 
K 2 



m 

spect of all the country round, for 40 
miles south, and 20 or 30 north. 

Below Oldham-ed^e lie the two Hors- 
€dges y perhaps the oldest mansions that 
lie in or near the town, Wernith exce; 
In a hollow, just on the border* of what 
was formerly North-moor, Mm the an- 
house Darned Coldhnrst \ the c 
This place, tHe very mansion now atand- 

1 httftgiae, was built at least three 
eenturie> Ige, and I believe if any DM 
will view the in )t the Iioum-. he will 

be com inred of the truth of my ajjertlon. 

i\o)/h-/>to<>>\ adjoining, iwarutf with its 

multitude-, b0ing nearly encircled with 

ut-built cottage-, inhabited chiefly 

i>v m e.u an of strong -a of 

men whose privation! fur the last twenty 

- have been nnparallelled — pr 

too that no othei pari of the community 
have ever felt in anv d pri- 

son Ul their-, and who have still I 

with a de g ree of patience unexampled in 

hfatOiy. It is a mutter of rej 
means can be devised for their rci 



91 

I am inclined to consider them as some 
of the best subjects in the realm, i( not 
crushed down by distress beyond endur- 
ance. 

Snho, 
Is a recent! ed manufactory, in 

the neighbourhood of Fowleaoh in thi> 
township. The room where the manufac- 
tory is carried on, which is the turning of 
rollers, Bating - A<\ on fitting- up 

any kind of nietalic work for machinery 
thought to he the l<<r^e>t employed for a 
lilar pocpeee Ul any part of Lancashire. 
The number of hand- employed is very 
jrreat ; and the quantity of woi k per- 
formed by tliem would, to tho>e who 
work**'! in the infancy of tln> business, 
be deemed incredible. The whole is the 
property of Mr. Samuel Lee- late of 
Holto-mill, within Knott-lanes, in the 
parish of \*hu>n-under-line. 



n 

Lees-halt, now surrounded with a 
duster Of COttages, was formerly the 
bitation of the Lingards, though prol 
original! y built by some person of the n 
of Lees. We pass Alder-rooty and the • 
sion built lately by ^lr. John Scholfieid; 
and arriving at Fetr-#i behold fibl- 

limtood) that formerly iraete piece of lead. 
Here ire baVe a grand view Indeed, Go 
is encircled like the other lafe Ism 
by hundreds of habitations, cottonn 
warehouses, public-houses, fee, and I 
this view it app ftdai 

town. 

On Che left of Hollinwood lies Hal- 
dershau's an ancient man-ion, perl 
Improperly written Adder* the wood 

of adders). It ikm, 

very much fallen to i for witliin 

the author's recollection it exhibited some 

marks of ancient grandeur, paitioulai 

stately gateway with iron gates. In the 

reign of the unfortunate Charles, it was 
the habitation of Sandeford, Esq.— 

name is now extinct in this township, and 



0:) 

I conceive he married with one of the 
family at Chamber. 

Swine-clough> an ancient farm which 
lies a little below Glodwick, and was pur- 
chased of Edmund Asheton, Esq. of Chad- 
derton, by Adam Ogden the elder, of 
Swine-clough. The indenture of feoff- 
ment bears date January 25th, J 670, since 
which lime till very lately, it has been in 
the possession of tin- family of the Oldens, 
who also possessed Lower-Horsedge, of 
whom Air. Samuel Ogden, resident 

at Horsedge, is the representative. 

It now remains for me to describe 
the boundary of this populous township; 
therefore taking the bridge of Beal as the 
point from whence to commence the circuit 
or boundary-line, the watersof which divide 
it from Roy ton, to the out-fence of a farm 
called Rough-Meadow, and thence by the 
boundary of the Owlers estate, including 
the place called Dingle, when the fence of 
the Holebottoni estate, in Crompton, se- 
parates the townships ; (his fence termi- 



94 



nates at, or rather verges the banks of a 
small rivulet which has its source a little 
below Grains ; this rivulet then forms 
the line of limitation, then a fence of a 
farm belonging to A. Clegg, Esq. div 
Crompton and Oldham, to the toll-gate at 
Grains, including a cottage there, and 
passing a place railed Ffd)er*l Folly and 
Wotherhill, the fence of wliioh fcMate 
comes in ronfaot with (he riv«T M«*d. 
near Eta source, the iraten of which d< 

in silvery radiance the crown or bead of 
the township, to a bridge near a p] 
called Holts, with one trifling ex< 
at Waterhead-mill, wl >re a cotton manu- 
factory on the further side of the Med- 
lock Is erected, one part thereof in Old- 
ham, another In Ashton, and another in 

Saddleworth.* Pursuing the boundai 
the Loeside and Wabbovr-hill estates, in a 



* T conceive from this circumstance that the coarse of 

the Medlock has been diverted from its original bed or cha»- 
uel, l>y the buildings erected on its banks at ibis place. 



95 

deep and retired valley, we arrive at the 
conflux of two very small rills, and fol- 
lowing their course to a little below 
Cherry- Valley, where that branch of the 
Medlock which passes by Oldham, comes 
in confluence with the rills before-men- 
tioned ; and ascending this valley by the 
course of the rivulet that passes near Old- 
ham, we come to a point where the fence 
of the estate of John Lees, Esq. of Ashton, 
diverges up a steep ascent from the stream 
a little below Glouwick-clough. The out- 
fence of his estate, with estates belong- 
ing to Sir Thomas Hor<< u. Langton, and 
Hornby, including estates at Broadway- 
lane Cross, and Duncui"ts, also Copsterhill 
Harrison >Farm, Lime-yate, and Street, ex- 
tend to the furthermost point cf the town 
ship, which is occupied by Mrs Robinson 
of Lime, and belongs to Mrs Barrow. We 
here follow the line of its boundary over 
the canal, and the highway to Manchester, 
from whence it takes the direct line of the 
highway (excepting only itenclosesWidow 
Grocock's house); and atthe top of Hollin- 



DO 



wood it diverge- from (he highway aln 
in a tangent westward to tbe - the 

Old Engine, and including an estate of 
Sir Thomas Mortons, and a \ Mr-. 

.Booth's estate, with thai of Mr.Schol 
at Over-Cowhill, it tlan j • .«-- r- th<* top of 
Alder-Hoot, to a place called Collin* 
i Lees-hall, including whfc 

almost Sin 
to neara place calh «1 Bosk, ifl I 

ng the top of Bui n!' includ- 

ing the 

and the land at 1 • Hon - Fold, to ■ ; 

at a small below a place called 

Pluinpton, i the towjishipi of Old- 

ham, Chaddei t< d and H 

we follow (hen the - rill, in- 

cluding the land x>( \\r und 

Ebon, and the Cold burst estate, directly 
over the middle of Sal ah-Moor, to the top 
of Oldham-Edg e down its 

steepest declivity, by Higginshai 
to Broadbent-Moes, and thence along the 
rivulet of Beal to its bridge, wjhere we 
commenced our circumambulation. 



THE 



TOWNSHIP OF ROYTON. 



Roy ton VilUnjc 

Royton, the village so called, is 
situate in a deep valley, surrounded by 
high lands, \\ miles north-east of Oldham, 
and about 8 miles east of Manchester. 
Within the recollection of the author, it con- 
tained only a few straggling and mean-built 
cottages ; but in the last thirty years has 
increased so amazingly, not only in the 
number of habitations, but in the general 
form and appearance (the houses of late 

L 



98 

being laid out in regular streets, and na 
as such) that in reality it now assumes the 
appearance of a very considerable village ; 
and but for the pie>ent -tarnation in the 
trade thereof, which is that of the manu- 
facture of strong DtiMftns, it would have 
been considerably larger, and even W&m . 

in this general depraation of ooauna 

the spirit of il> inhabitant- far surmounts 
the ditVieultics and privations they endure, 
for building after building h reared, and 
the appearanca of the place i> improving- 
under the inauapfokMM (loom that 

vades every mercantile pm-pect. 

According to the population report 
of 1811, Koyton town-hip contained 
houses, and 3,910 inhabitants It has 
much increased since that time, particu. 

larly within the vill ■ \\\ w hich mua| 

contain at least in the present year ( 1817) 
3)000 inhabitants. Thai part ot the village 
which goes by the general name of Sumit/- 
Lane\ consists wholly of new erections of 
well-built brick houses, which hare all 
been raised in the space of a very few 



99 

years, presenting at present a regular 
range of well-built streets. 

St. Paul's Chapel, 

A chapel of the establishment, built 
of brick, being- a plain structure of the 
modern style, and w as erected by the volun- 
tary contribution ofseveral pious and well- 
disposed persons in Royton, and its neigh- 
bourhood. The land whereon the chapel 
was built, and the chapel-yard, was given 
by the late Thomas Percival Esq., of 
Royton-hall.— Two marble monuments are 
erected in the eastern interior of this 
chapel, over the family vault of Sir Joseph 
Radcliffe, Bart, of Mills-bridge, (late of 
Royton-hall), on which are inscribed the 
names of that part of the family already 
deceased. 

At the western exterior of the chapel, 
on a square stone embodied within the 
wall, the following- lines are engraven : — 

" Deo imraortali, home ecclesiam dedica- 
vit wunificientia vicinoram, regnant GeorgioII. 
pro plici Augusto, p.p. Anno 1754." 



100 

Regigter of the Curates of Royton, 
from the building of the chapel, in the 
year of our Lord 1754, to the present 
time, 1817.— 

1. Rev. Richard Dean, first curate, D< 

in the \v\\r 17*>4. 

2. Rev. Benjamin Tra\i-, \.B. son of M 

Travj , nHley'jide, nominated curate SepU 
1st, 17<>0. 

3. Rev. James An In i curate Dec. 

SMIj, 177 i, bj the Ri i I 

Re< tor of I*r< 

4. Rev. Richard Cur>, nominated curat*- June 

'Jl^t, 177ii. 
J (lei . Thorn {born, the pn ieal i 

rf HoNtcii, Boaioafc J s 'j>t. Id, i: 



Hilton-Hall, 

Lately \\v% si* it of >ir Joseph Rad- 
eliffe, Hart, <>t Mills-hi idtre, in the county 
of Yoik, torn- . Mil 

possessions in the>< -. to the Lords 

Biron.- It is pleasantly seated in a ralleya 
little further than the ridge of high laad de- 



101 

nominated 01dham-edge,apart of which is 
in the township of Royton. It is a firm, 
well-built stone edifice, of ancient date* 
and is remarkable for an uncommonly 
Mrottg and heavy round stair-case, of that 
kind seen in the ascent to a church, but 
more massy. In the front of the house, a 
Mall branch of the Irk meanders through 
the bottom of the gardens, dividing' them 
from a range of luxurious meadows and 
vernal banks, declining gently in the front 

of the hou>e. In tlie back ground, on an 
eminence in tfae park, built upon a hill 

c ailed the Sun-Loe. lately Mood the sum- 
mer-hou>e, from whence there* was a very 
exten>i\e prospect of the circumjacent 
coiuili y, M far U the Welch mountains. 

A very providential escape, which 
happened at the house Of Sir Joseph Rad- 
clitle. Hart, who was then Joseph Pick- 
ford, Esq. of Koyton-hall, is worth re- 
cording. — On April 10th, 1790, in the 
morning, B tremendous gust of wind blew 
down two very large chimneys in the 
front of the house, each raised to tile 
L 2 



102 

height of 18 feet, to prevent smoking. 
They fell across the west gable roof, 
which was covered with thick and pon- 
derous slates ; broke the beams, and 
brought the whole down together, tin 
three heights of chambers, into the cellar. 
Two of Sir Joseph RadclihVs daughters 
were in bed, in the uppermost chamber, and 
one in that beneath. Their beds, with 
the furniture, were shivered to pieces. 
Two of the yountf ladies were precipe 
into the cellar, one of whom w 
discovered scrambling up the rubbish, 
without any material hurt, having only 
received some slitrht bruises on the head 
and arms. f l he other, wliu was buried in 
the rubbish, was found in about twenty 
minutes after, by the exertions of a num- 
ber of neighbours, tying in the midst of a 
feather bed, not at all injured, e\ 
what she sustained by the fright, 
third was caught in the second fl 
across a beam, and fixed dow n by a i 
piece of wood; she was much bru 
lint ; but had no bonis broken, i s 



103 

one or two of her ribs, from which she 
recovered after a months confinement to 
her bed. Their maid, who was just re- 
retiring from the door after calling* them 
up when the accident happened, was con- 
fined in the narrow space of the door-way, 
and WBM obliged to remain in that situation 
till the carpenter relieved her from it by 
cutting the door from the fringe* j for had 
it boen pushed open, >he would have fallen 
headlong down the breach. 

Tin* family of the PercivaU I of whom 

Mrs. Pickford, the first wife of Sir Joseph 
Itadclifle, was a descendant) trace their 
01 -iii'in from the first nobility of the kingdom 
of France, on her father's side ; on her mo- 
ther- she clahncd a more exalted birth, as a 
descendant of one of the l>ihi>h kin. 
Sii Joseph also, by tfc* in ;;^ -ide, 

claims relation-Lip with one of the most 
ancient families in Lanc.t-h -re -the Kad- 
I Jiifes of KaddilVe Tower. 

[Sec the Pedigree annexed.] 



PEDIGREE of tie RADCLIFFES, $■ 



^^ 



\ "parkland. 

Daughter of Curwen 

=Daughter of Bottler, 






Earl of 
Bri' y * 


rrf 


F^'oT- = d'.'"of ' 


in 


EarT'of Tonn v ° 


K 


Norma* 












- '^"i,*;? 1 "' 


s~ 


= Beaumont, « Si 


IJ 


1, «,l 1 < H | 





7He„ryVIf> 



Ralph Peroral -Sister and t,i ress „f 

Ralph Peroival, -Joan, darter and 
heir of Tjlraham. 
Itk-I.a,.l I'.-iciv.il.uf 

Ralph Peroival, of-Joan, da.jller of 

«- ■ "I'M II, i -„|-„1, 1 ,'\, ,„„ 







seended the Dy- 1v„"a°'t" are 
mocks of Wei- descended. 





apEledur.byG ruffe's 




' i ' 1 ' 
t'i oek in. Ur-.-Iyi, 
















ap Llewellyn, Prince 


































jffffyth. 


— Gwervil, dr. of Me- 




k.,11,1, >,. UuVychan 




., tl...i<, 1 ,,,iiw<.„ 


k, Lord of 




d Lloyd. 


—Daughter of Blethyn 




ofCrighionVychan. 



liil"" 3 ! .ohnUoyd.Sd-^.dr.ofKand.el 

£ S | .-o o son. Lloyd of Talorne. .°" 

: -o Robert Lloyd, of — Ellyn, dr. of David £ 

§e"o"° Halghton. ap Elirago Lloyd. g 




104 

Since the removal of Sir Joiepl Rad- 
clifTe to Mills-bridge, the bell has l>c<*u 

jn tho occupation of the Rev. JOeepi 

Horiiern, the minister of >haw chape] : 
and boin - an extensive building, baring 
some vciy ipaefoM rooms, it has ser 
him hoth as deuce and a send] 

for the tuition of i m an l ier of do 

and genttem Ho ha*, how 

lately removed to Fail-worth- 1 . 

Manchester ; and it is now in 

sion of Mr. Edmund Wild, i\s oocupiei 

thereof. 

In this township are a groat num- 
ber of cotton-mill*, and one fulling-mill. 

chiefly for t ho Rochdale I nannfar- 

tured In the neighbourhood thereof There 

is also a large malt-kiln, belonging t<> Mr. 

Andrew, In Edge-lane. It contains onl] 
676 statute acres off land, being die ■waHml 

of tho four town-hips. 

The soil is for the most part dry 

sandy: a few acm anlj want draii 

There is no waste land. The proportion 
of arable land is small to that of pa>' 



105 

The manures are marl, got in the town- 
ship, and lime brought from Ardwick near 
Manchester, or from Buxton. The pro- 
ductions are oats, potatoes, and a few 
turnips; seldom any wheat, the vicinity of 
the hills making it subject to the mildew 
from damps. These are consumed on the 
spot, for the parisu at large being so 
populous considering its extent, is far from 
producing sufficient for the consumption 
of the inhabitants The Manchester, 
Rochdale, and Huddersfield markets are 
resorted to for a supply ol' tins great de- 
ficiency. The timber ol this township is 
in the hedge-rows, and som<* Miiall planta- 
tions, for there are no \vo< 

The forms arc chicily small* and the 
tythes for the mo>t pari compounded for. 
The rents are very various, and particu- 
larly lluctuating at this period. Tor the 
changes throughout Europe for the last 
thirty year> have rendered any regular 
statement of these things nugatory, per- 
haps even in the current year in which 
such statement has been made. Rents in 



106 

commercial places like these, decline or 
advance with the ebb or flow of trade, 
manifesting at once that the depend* 
of the inhabitants of these part- is not on 
agriculture, but on the grreat UomMtalll 
of commerce. Kvon England ha- exalted 
itself in the scale of nation-, to the big 
pitch of power, not by the plough. bo1 
by the mechanic wheel and the -huttk. 

May our legislature not forget 1Kb 

The -t part of tin •! (ythes 

of (hie town-hip arc oompounded tor by 

a modus, and paid with the E&gU 
The living is a chapel ry under I i< 
value about .180. a year. 

The stieam> of the Irk and Ben!, 
which rise in this township, are subjei 
frequent flood*, from the larpe quani 
of rain which sometimes fall on the cir- 
cumjacent hills, which almost entirely 
surround the township : but the 
subside, owing to the declination of the 
country west, through which ti I am- 

ieis pass, till they fall into the r:\er I: wrj! 



107 

The manufactures of the place are 
the different branches of the cotton trade, 
especially the weaving of strong fustians. 
Coals are also a considerable product of 
this township ; more than half of it con- 
taining valuable beds of this mineral. — 
They have been worked here above 100 
years ; they lie from 20 to 100 yards and 
upwards from the surface, in different 
strata, dipping or declining to the S. S. \\ • 
one yard in five and a halt. Some of the 
beds are six feet thick. There is also 
>ome free >tone dug up in the township; 
and at a place on the borders of Oldham- 
edge, near White-ban^s or Banks, is a 
good chalybeate spring, which, about 
some? twenty years ago, was much more 
resorted too than now. 

Street-Bridge^ 

A second rate village, lies in the 
neighbourhood of Royton, and is a 
very remarkable place for the coal works 
carried on there, and in the neighbour- 
hood thereof. — Here is also a paper-mill, 



108 

the property of Mr.Moreton, and Hirer* 
public-houses, besides a £reat number of 
cottages in and near the place. 



Tlnnp, 
I l-no.M the Saxon tbngne, signifying 

B village or country (own,) li -itnai- 
an eminence north of the village of 1 
ton, and must I 

coosldoaafcta cooaa^ttfeaca la farmer Ha 

the aama thereof implies it. It h<>u 

at present < 

tage« only. It seem-. M long: back a«* im 

can trace in i ds, to I 

belonged, like mo-t of the places in this 
neighbourhood, to the Lords BjrtOD, then 

Sir — Byron only, and ta hava h 

stituted the residence of the Taylor, an 
ancient family, of whom are the Taylors 
of Lees and of Rhodes-hill, near Lees, 
and they are the pojrenitors also of the 
Cleggrs of Bent, in Oldham. One of the 
family, R. Taylor of Thorp-olougrh, still 
resides in the vicinity thereof. 



J 09 

E'en this neglected spot perhaps in days of 

yore, 
Swarmd with its multitudes of busy crowded 

life; 
And num'rous towns, which now expung'd for 

evermore 
From memory's map, then held their myriads 

rife. 

Leaving Thorp, and continuing our 

journey along the northern boundary of 
the township, we come to Dog-forts, or 
Dog-ford*, where is a cotton manufactory, 
and a number of neat-buil( houses. The 
stream it is very probable WBB always 
-hallow here ; but I conceive it did not 
derive its name as being- fordible by dogs, 
for certainly the greatest of rivers are so, 
but received its name from dog, and fords 
(to kill, O. W.J perhaps the place where 
some favorite animal of the canine species 
met its fate. 



II 



110 
Heyride or HaytUU . 

A SMALL vill;t old 

road from Oldham to Shan . Ufa dei 

perhaps, firoaa //"// I 8 ixon I an h 

and si(/t\ (he side <>i an inclosors . 

from //"/, a 1 1 « * « 1 _ .) and Side — 

hedge-side, a bieh 

rect, as it \ 1 1. 1 _ h- 

side. 

it contain! imher of 

cottages, ii -til the H 

and Lo* ei 'l i |>uMic-lmi 

and a ON <»r a branch ol 

Indedendenti : and ne n thereto, at a \ 
called Turf-lane-end, Jeers 1 n 

ch baa long existed 11 
It was in tl 
thai the Brat est 
of Friends, n l 

after which d their 

it Heyaide; and the first aeeoiu 
burial at the burial-plai 
then called I 
Heyaide was formerly the reaidenoe nf the 



Ill 

family of the Shaws ; here follows their 
pedigree : — 



William, of Shaw-hall, — Jane, dr. if Henr\ 
in Letaud. FaniogtoD, <>t' Mut- 

ton Grange. 

Richard, ol.it. ftfefe — 
Sui by 

1 — Ann, daughter b( 
hon, <■! Heyfrtde, in Brown. 

Rovtoll. 

Oli ■ Shan .* oi Hey- — Alice, daughter pf 

ride, * > 1 > i t . August l, '1 1 I hi ill. mi, of 

17" ll< N ,ldl', 

bj whoa he had bioe ■ Richardi Thoma% 

ii, WillUMB, Oliver, Joseph, Edward, and 
13c nj I in in. 



Of tfafc brother, rieWn and son* ol 
Oliver Shaw r, gent, it ii probable are ids- 
oended the Bfeawa of Oldham, Saddle- 
\voiih,and Atfhton ptfrisbee, viz. of Qrdt- 

tonhead, \V« J Hinhole, L , &c. I am 



• His l.iotlj' r and md Ann. 

t In OH a brass plate in Oldham l'arochial 

Ghspcl before-mentioned. 



112 

of opinion that the residence of this Oliver 
Shaw and his progenitors, is now occupied 
by James Hadfield, of Turf-lane, or Mrs. 

M. Mellor. The present Heyside ( viz. the 

place where the village j- now situate) — is 

where the old and long eel 

roads from Oldham, Shaw, SholvOI and 

Royton join; but the original I im 

.situate in the \ ieinity of this 
indeed reeoi d> l>e|. :.> the | ] 

meet before stated, denomii 

plaoe lie\ ride, no I k than I 



HigginMhw , 

Is an ancient place, and formerly, 
(from the name thereof) iv as in the pos- 
session o! s< me pei >on \\ I 

h, and del I 

word Biggin, according to Alfricns, aig- 
nifies Hugh's son j therefore the p 

denominated II 

Hdgh'i son's wood* And It fa 1 rthy 

of remark, how many places wn e foi a; 



118 

woods or woodlands ; from the present 
names thereof, it appears almost certain 
that a great part of the district I am de- 
scribing- ci)iivi>i(Ml of woods, though 
at present scarcely a ve>ti^c ofthis sylvan 
netfy now remain> 

Drt/-Cloii(jh 

Is now a place worthy of remark, 
and deserves OOF notice. —There are a 
very considerable number of habitations 
here, wlicic. within the recollection of the 
writer, there existed only a >ingle farm- 

• \ tin' i c oi the tntllorSi who 

have long \n>t>u regular carriers to dif- 

ta (^[ the kingdom. 'The local 

place where the numerous cottages which 

this place the appearance of a small 
village are situate, was iii reality what its 
name denotes, a kind of ravine, covered 
with brambles and bushes, through which 
Scarcely any water was >een to pass, ex- 
cept when the high lands adjacent had 
been drenched by heavy showers. 



114 

There are two pabUc-hoilfefl h 

and Mr. Andrew lias a malt-kiln of no 

inconsiderable extent, besides a wind-mill, 

on an elevated situation a little dlstl 
from his house, the only one in the parish. 

The coal-works too, now carried on by 

the firm of Heushaws and others, form a 

considerable feature in the sppearanoi 

this place ; and the manairci of the urnkv 
Mr. Brans, has a very ueat habitation near 

them. 

Holden-Fold. 

This place h ired its D 

from the proprietors thereof, in whose 

family, as an inherit. it bai de- 

Bcended for the space of nearly tl. 

tnries. It consists of a mi: 

built COttagee, on an eminence *boi 

branch of the Irk, which union to 

the machinery of a number of cotton-milN 
and coal work- in the valley below. I 
consider the valley through which this 
branch of the Irk takes its COOTO 



115 

' )<>>t pleasingly picturesque and romantic 
sf any in the parish, wanting only the 
additional aid of a little of the sylvan beauty 
which is to be seen in some valleys, to 
render it a truly charming place. — In the 
contiguity of this place, but on the oppo- 
site banks of the said rivulet lies Royley, 
Doted, i suppose near a century ago, as a 
famous placfe for coal-works, which arc 
*till carried on betre and all round the 
neighbourhood thereof; the coal dag 

being highly esteemed, both in Man- 
chester and all the country round, where* 

u i- conveyed. These being the 

principal places m this township which 1 

consider deserving of more particular 

notice, a lid of (he smaller and more re- 
cently-built erections in every 
township, will be found in an alphabetical 
list inserted in this work immediately be- 
fore the directory. 

1 shall now give the exact boundary 
of this township, conceiving- the gam 
useful for varioi nis. 



[16 

Boundary of the Tovrnsfn'p <>t /, 

To trace the hoi 
we eonmei ee oar under! 
railed b tttfem oo d i near 

to //< //.wV/r. ,ni.i ;lic Bj : point Ol 91 

fure ii a Mice into u 

Mr. James Nield'i eotton-nttl, lying <»n 

(lie left, and Mr. I w m i j . i i i ii n Clegg 

on the righf : ami _ through thai 

and joui along 1 1 1 *- bom 

of Mr. Ji. ( tod tint oi Mi. 

Hoon i, the I ntakti to the ^ 

of Baal, e*a pursue tl *e of the rivulet, 

j the Immiih! uv OJ I 
and traverse the hound- <>f Koyton-mus* 
estan 

fenoe, and then describing th< 
Abraham Ch 1 Mi. Mill 

nidge estates, and 

lane, Mr. 

Mashitei \\ then ascending the hleak 

tMiiin 

and ; thereof the 

lino o( deniarkatioi nds- throi 

midst of a deep [uarry on the 



117 

tern declivity of the Edge ; and including 
the cottages on the north of Sarah- 
moor, and passing on to the boundary- 
fence of Grimbie'sestate to Booth-hill-lane, 
and along the bound- of Booth-hill estate, 
to the new road to Etoyton, Crossing which 
it follows the boundary-fence of an estate 
belonging to James Lees, Esq. of Clarke- 
field, and then along the course of the 
rivulet which passes Pllimpton, and devi- 
ates from the OOUrse of this rivulet at a 
point in the valley below lMunipton, 
whefre the townships of Oldham, Chad* 
derton and ftdyton converge; after this 
the boundary-fenoe of Mr. Simeon Hold* 
en's and Roth well '> i form the line 

of extent, 1 i ; 1 we arrive al a point in the 

valley near >hiloh-niiii, and followkig the 

fence which borders the rivni* i i ear the 
aforesaid mill, which fence Is the boundary- 
fence of B. Whitworth's estate to Street^ 

bridge, it follows the rivulet then which has 
its source neai House-wood, or rather the 
fence boqnditig the estates of Mr. Joseph 
Andrews and Mr. \\ hitworths, and along 



118 

the out-i o the estates of 

MtotHTf, Ralph Ta\ j. . and Hards- 

lej pro^n — i\ <•! v. m t)i <v IMttM follow each 
other. TlpMOfitatetfiuMitelM -line 

U) the ancient \ illag*' ol 'I 
Ibe livulct paei reto, forme 

s (loii;i! (\ih«)n to MMUT Houee-wood ; it 
then di\ i oni the I Of the said ri- 

n ulet, ai: il hv M 

Tlion 
estate 
Lou er field - ' along the out*! 

the Holl- 
and ie new i ham 

to Sha* • 

i he line i an 1 v * .»< -- 

licld -a cottag oaite which i «aid 

1, and included in the l»« 

th|p loti i rtank) the Rom 

.Mr. Al'i;t!'u,i faaee, H paaaei ihe>< 

aded by Bif Joeep 
and then bj i the 

ohiwdeiM and diw i k raof Mi 
ter, alter vrhicfa John r 
Higher-^ 



119 

paration between the townships of Cromp- 
ton and Royton, and then another estate 
belonging to Sir Joseph Raddiffe is the 
boundary limit thereof to the top or eorner 
of Shaw -edge^fields, Including the cottages 
st Shaw-edge, at which place we cross the 

road frOBQ Oldham to Shaw, and arrive at 
our thst point of departure. 






TOWNSHIP or chompton. 



The township ol Crompton fori 

i ]>art of the parochial ohaj I Hdham, 

on the w e>t bj Thoi nham, in 

the parish of Midd th bj 

the townships of (Vtleton and \U 

w 01 th, in ti Rochdale | on the 

easi bj Friarmere, in the 

iddlawortfa \ and on tin* soatfa I y the 
township! of oldham and Royton, in 
the parochial ohapdrj l m now 



121 

The name may probably be derived 
from Crom, crooked or bowed, from its 
surface being ^o uneven, the wliole of the 
township chiefly consisting of a mass of 
rugged hills and valleys; and the addition*! 

Saxon word Tutu a town. 

Sham nt/((f/< 
Shaw, or wli.it \§ generally called 

Sliaw Chapel, is the principal \ iUage in the 

township of C r e mp ton ; it eonsbfts of one 
niv-iiiarlv-luiilt street, divided by its 
inhabitants Into what they denominate 
Higher and Loif er Shaw. Lower Show 
oontaina th' v greater number of hone 
and ii. in general rery substantial 

modern-built houses, chiefly Of stone, the 

-tone quarries being numerous in the hills 
above Shaw. In Lower Shaw are four 
public- houses, and several neat-looking 

shops. In the rUlags of Shaw is exhibited 
on Saturday's market some of the finest 
batchers 1 meat to be seen in any part of 
the county. The purveyors in this village 
have, by unremitting* attention to business, 
N 



OB 

i tiic I(j i<1 meanest drud- 

gery of their prof«'--ion. .. m 

men, and men ol opuh I m- 

ehaoe whole i • 

(aii-. tod lie p r imtum 

mobUe % contained in 
rocoo leathei 
them on iin' mm I it 

has hi 

than mywlf, that m bei* a l« *d and cheap 
pen in w oi ili i? H di be 

gathered tagetfcei j topply Ml only 

their nun village with ino.it, hut aUo 
tend the markets of both Oldham uud 

\T Low 

I a met Weg- 

leyan i 'inn, denominate I Bell el : 

-in ill hut Mai huildinir. Tlie gal- 
lery ig -«Mni-nrtai:-Mual, and BO ed 

auditor tl:n BIO has a full 
if not of the pi 
Tin in the bottom 

not yet completed, bi mended to be 



123 

formed on the same plan as the gallery. 
The first stone of this building was laid by 
Mr. James Cheetham, of Clough, near 
Shaw, on :ncl of June 1815. — The 

ipei of the ettabliehment « in Higher 
Shaw: it was originally a \ery encient 
erection, but has Hem lately re-built. It 
i> i plain itone edifice of the modern style, 
and bo contrived m to contain alatge con- 
gregation, having a gallery round the 

whole of the Interior] except theea-tem 
part The font of this gallery is §emi-ellfp- 

lieal. hut not laid out with that judgment 
whieh is apparent in the .Methodi.-t meet- 
ing-hou-e. Many of the audience mud 

>it with their backa to the preacher, 

W tthin the rails of the altar, on two plain 
stone-, are the following inscriptions. 

On the old stone : — Acting trustees for 
re-building this chapel, enlarged 9 feet 
from south to north, A. 1> 17.;: 

The Honourable Sir Ralph A-Iieton, III 
Sheriff. 



124 

Sir Darcy Lever, L. L. D. of Alkrington. 

The Rev. Richard Goodwin, Rector of Prest- 

v>ieh. 
Robert Radcliffe, Esq. of Foxdenton. 
The R< v. Stmoel >uk bottom, A. M. Rector of 

Middleton. 
The Rev. Jacob Scholeg, A. M. Curate ofPn it - 

wich. 
The lav. Joshua rd, A. 1 te of 

Shaw. 
Hugh \ lanes, I rent, oi Cconptoa hall. 
James Wild, Gent, of New Larth. 



On the Dew stout: — Acting tnu 
for re-building thla ohapel, at irhicfa time 
it wa> enlarged from Math to north 

wall, A.D. JT l J8. 

John Travis, Oldham. 

John Andrew . Bchool-croft-kuM . 

Henry Wild, Black-dough. 
James Milne, High-Cromptou. 
John Wild, Cowlishaw. 
John Wild, Shaw. 
William Nield, Shaw-Edge. 



125 

William Travis, Shaw. 
Rev. Joseph Hordern, A. M. Curate. 
John Buckley, of Cowlishaw-lane, Chapel-war- 
den. 

In order to perpetuate to posterity their 
attention to the laudable work, the present 
warden, James Cheetham, has caused this 
Inscription to be engraven — " Anno. D. 
1*01.'' 

The orpin is generally allowed to be 
a find toned one; and the singers belong- 
ing, 01 rather attending this chapel, are 
perhaps gome of the best in Lancashire. 
It is their constant study to accomplish 
themselves in this science ; and they may 
boast of having produced some very 
extraordinary characters in the musical 
world. Mr. Jonathan Nield, as one in- 
stance, has been acknowledged by a Lon- 
don audience to be the first singer of his 
part in his day. Indeed the Shaw musical 
band are a constellation in the sphere of 
harmony. 



IM 

The chapel of Shaw N a kind of 1 
chapel, a> it pay- due- to no Other 

Shaw Off CowINhaw, was once the 

residence of a family of the name of Kgper- 

tOO : their line of d ll a- follow I 

Reft Egerton of Ridk ] 

i>t ion, tod Me, 

Bit Ralpk ' ibetb,dr. 

: toll, Of tOO, "1 

Ridley< »w. 

iIL 



r 

Mary, dr. <>f = Leooerd = Mary, <lr. of 

\\ nXef< r, of Peti W bl I 

Kertal, and Um oi 

widen <»t'\\'m. Shaw. 
Daunts j of 
Edge-Croft. 

Issue Of her, Richard, Issue bj h 
bora Bepl Mb, i«< 

Mil v, Ann. I be 

eldest >on, v 

SI :. L664, sod hr 



nui 



an itil Mary, daughter of Aid* rs< 



BOd tlitv bid H - named Ma J 



127 

The following list of the proprietors 
of land in Crompton, which is taken from 
an original manuscribt in tiio possession of 
Mr, George Scholes, of Stake-hill near 
MiddLeton, as also the writings of the top 
of Dog-hill estate, ami was kindly com- 
mm ioated to me bj Mr. Cheetham of 
Qougb Shavjr, phews thai the whole 

the Township of ( rompton was at that 
is in the -ion of thirteen proprie- 

tors : though the -aid mann>eript 

bean no date, >et it must undoubtedly 
have fx^n A ritten before the creation of 
Sir John Byrou to the title of Baron 
Byrom of Rochdale, which took place 

84th Octobei 10 before the 

knighthood of Mr. Ashetou, who h 
knighted Angus! 17th, 1660. i have since 
found from a manuscript in the possession 

of Abraham Crompton, Esq. of High 

Crompton, tli survey w 

male by Ilemv \\ Ucock and Thoinafl 
Bldineley, in the months of June and July 
1528, viz. In the reign of Kin^ James the 
First. 



190 

Prop nei. \nUij of L I 

\ B P 

Sir .1 .in . . . k . . 160 1 

Mr. Itfaeton 160 2 

MKPrestwich M 2 

.Mr. Ctteednfa 888 :J 

Mr. ( . m I 17 

Mi. I.ravrr. |M I M 

Mr. V 48 I 29 

Ml ■ 

,!.v.. 88 I 88 

Mr. Will iw.< 32 I 

Mr.Wxic I 81 

Mr. ( 11 

Mr.Tctkm 88 I 



Tin. ftncienl ho ^re, 

Vrompton IIulL 
Which atly bdooged t « » the 

family o£ Crompton, tili^it ji< 
three daughters to the HBCmi of I N ti 

the lla:nt'i'< of t laiiM i, ami Nulthall of 

Blakelj : the laat two-tbh 
the marriage ofRlchara* q'scL 



J2f) 

property of Mr. Hugh Yannes, whose 
heir sold it to Mr. John Kershaw ; the 
remaining third descended to Sir Ralph 
Asheton oOliddleton, who married one 
of the Holland* of Denton, and it was 
given to the mother of Mr. Lister of 
YVe^tiy, by Sir Ralph aforesaid. It has a 
very mean appearance at present, and 
stands a short distance from Crompton- 
Fold. 



130 



Pedigree of the family of Crompton*, 

the original proprietors of Crompton :— 

JoIjij Crooipton of Croinjaoii, 

mil H HfijiN \ i. 

William Cromptooof = Joan dr. of Robert 
1 i n BeftMMt 

l>t *° n ,:,>fM ' " ' lad on, John 

ton «; ( ronptoa. Bptoa.* 

William Cm,,,], ton of m Ann, daughtn 

( rompton 
rbomt Crompton #f = Jfcae, dr. of Fdward 



( '<»llij>toil. 



01 i; 



dr. and 
cobei* m,mu mv 

john NutktU . Btmd l Hvdc 

ofBUk< i! 

II. oner. 



I ( rompt.u I am iodacrd to think 
•prang tbr pW M M Abraham and Abel Crumptoo. Lupin*. 
•f 1 .' : to* 



131 

High CruwpfoH. 
In it deeds High Cromplon is 

denominated a town ; it ia very probable 
it WBM much larger than at present : it is 

the reeidenoeof Abraham Crompton, E*4- 

and M lills. A. Crompton, Esq, is 

in possession ol' some armour which was 
woi ;i by one of their family in dal 

time- The weigh! of the helmet is ,7/>*. 

M&#. B M. and back al- 
moin" .'»//>.*. 1 

On as formerly ipell Brai thfe 

of Messrs, Mil!-, lies on (he 

(b rs of the toifnahip ; one pail in But- 

terwoiii,, ami tin* DthtJE in Crompton. 

Traditional accoanta speak of the presfetft 
residents having <l thia place for 

t, which ery 

remarkable: U ate writings, which 1 

have -ecu. dated the pear after the gun- 
pow der [>lot. b la a bleak situate nay 

be im, rom its name*; but -cms to 

be sui i -minded by very good pasture land. 



132 

jrhltfUld-IIalL 

WlIITl !ILJ)-1! ' umtly the i 

perty of the Whitfield*, and then the 
Hawortha, had the pos«< 
and after them the family of the Buck' 
( aptafa Buckley, however, sold it in 
to the Lei « ra of Alkrington 
aftei *. hioh it vrai ><<M by Sir ! 
Lover, Knt t<> the M 
then tenant r him, foi I 2,600, in 

the year I7 v >>. Mi. Mill* Having a leaae 
• of for three live* y it 

would not have been y\- at that 

low price. 'L he pi i 

is Mr. DaVid Wild. It itial 

stone ei near I the 

very eminence of the hill is situate White- 
Beld-Fold; 

Pari! or Peark Bam 

Amii:m].\ to the Cromp- 

tens, then to the Che bami of N 

and then to Smith of Bl who 

sold it to Per* iv.il, Eriq. of B ivhb 

purchased it in May 1672 ; but by the 



133 

marriage of Mr. Percival's daughter to 
Sir Joseph Radcliffe, Bart, of Mills-bridge, 
in Yorkshire (then of Roy ton-hall), it 
became his property, and was sold by him 
to James Milne, Esq. of Park-house, then 
his tenant, whose family had resided at 
Top-of-hill estate, which is adjoining to 
Park, time immemorial. The descent of 
James Milne, Esq. of Park-house, the* 
present possessor, is stated as follows : — 

Mr. James Milne, who was the occu- 
pier of Park-house and estate, when Perci- 
val purchased it, was succeeded by his son, 
Mr. John Milne, who divided Top-of-hill 
estate; leaving one moiety thereof to Mr. 
Abraham Milne, and another to Mr. Ed- 
mund Milne. Mr. Abraham Milne at his 
demise left his part of the estate to his 
son James Milne, who was a noted ve- 
terinary surgeon, and had very consider- 
able practice ; he never married, and 
dying without issue, demised the estate to 
his brother John; from whom it descended 
to his son James, who was the father of 
o 



131 

the present James Milne, Esq. of I\ 
house, who hath now. purchased I 
as aforesaid. James Milne, K>({ the pre- 
sent proprietor and occupant, has won- 
derfully improved this largt -. 40 
- of which, J 80 vi ere let for 
I Nippose there ia m any 

estate in tliis town-hip which has nini«'i - 
gone sueh a wonderful alteration* 

The presenl proprietoi c*houee, 

in conjunction with William Clegg, Esq. of 
Westwoodj hai s opened i 1 part 

of the country to a free i] M with 

the commercial world, by planning ahd 

uting that i lerally d 

the Featherstall~road, with itn bitoiM 
Nothing could have been devised more 
beneficial te the village of Shaw, and all 
the country round, than this pi eject. The 

road passes the neat mansion of J. Milne, 
Esq. which is a stone i of the 

modern * ith some oin- 

inir; and sinee his removal to his pn 
habitation] a little further by the ro;id-side, 
he has ereeted a number of neat cottages, 



135 

and a public-house, which are denominated 
Jubilee, as being built at the time that 
festival was celebrated. 

At a place called Clough, lies the 
mansion of Mr. Cheetham : this is a plain, 
well-built stone edifice ; its appearance 
conveys the idea Utilis et eleyantia. It 
is a singular fact, that before the erection 
thereof, the whole scite was an ugly, 
rough, unsightly stone-quarry, many yards 
in depth ; but how is the eye delighted 
and surprised (o see such rugged and use- 
less places put on the pleasing garb of 
vegitation. From the front of the house, 
Mr. Cheetham has a pleasing prospect of 
the village of Shaw, and the ridge of 
sullen-looking mountains (hat almost en- 
viron it; the only opening left is a vista a 
little beyond the village, which strikes 
the eye, exhibiting a flat of rich meadow 
and pasture land, and here and there a 
tuft of woodland verdure, giving a goodly 
richness to the landscape. 



136 

Industry, if she turn, 



E'en the drear desert brightens, mountains smile 
And vallies laugh in gay luxuriance round." 

Near this place is the venerable abode at 
l?ank-hou.se. Neither can 1 forget notic- 
ing the remarkable spring of Black-dough, 
the sweetness and clearness of which is 
scarcely equalled ; beyond this Uei Shore- 
edge, a dreary place, containing a number 
of straggling house- wide of Crompton- 
hall, which we have before had occasion 
to mention ; the valley, however, where it 
stands, is remarkable for quarries of stone, 
beds of coal, and the clearest springs of 
water. 

On the top of the valley which wind* 
round towards Grange, there is an exhi- 
bition of the most romantic scenei \ ; 
surely not much exceeded by those re- 
markable dales id Derbyshire ; but as the 
writer never had the pleasure of vi>iting 
those scenes of u perfect nature" which 
abound in that wonderful countv, he 



137 

cannot with propriety pass any judgment 
thereon. He however hopes he may be 
permitted to say, he never beheld any 
thing that so forcibly arrested his eye, as 
on entering this remarkable valley, which 
bears the name of Qrcliery-Wood. The 
rock which on each side rises almost per- 
pendicular, terrifies the gazing- eye, added 
to the rudeness of all around, and fails 
not to inspire an idea of the appearances 
exhibited by Dame Nature in the primeval 
ages. The dashing of the waters from 
rock to rock — the rustling of the wind 
through this dreary wilderness — with the 
yawning excavations in the rocks, partly 
natural and partly artificial, form such a 
group of novelties as would almost give 
inspiration to the mod insensitive. 

Leaving this extraordinary valley, I 
must call the attention of my readers to 
three remarkable mounds or redoubts of 
earth, one of which, and the most remark- 
able, is above Crompton-hall. They are 
supposed to have been thrown up in the 
time of the civil wars in the reign of 
o 2 



138 

Charles the First, as a kind of retreat or 
shelter for the ad 1 'rents to royalty. They 
are all formed under that hijrh ridge of 
hills which extend all along: here, and are 
placed at about three-quarters of a mile 
distant from each other. — The first Is 
called Sholver-Hcy redoubt: the second 
and most remarkable, is the redoubt at 
(\itts, above Crompton-hall, as before ob- 
served ; and the third, and most northerly, 
lies at Slences, or rather Slensides. 1 ap- 
pose but few persona are Ihrteg who Rlol 

not a kind of vain glory in relating My 
thine: they BWIJ think extraordinary or 
meritorious relative to their progenfto 
and equally do we feel a repu. in 

hearing any report to their dii — 

suffer me for once to irive way U) this pro- 
pensity (I will not say error") of our natu 
by relating an adventure of -tor of 

mine, which the description of these re- 
doubts brings frtsfc to memory, and whirh 
I have often heard my father relate and 
others affirm. — He said, that an ancestor 
of his, who was a resident at Cronpti 



139 

Mail!, in the capacity of miller, being much 
attached to the royal cause, had been with 
a number of persons of the same prin- 
ciples, on a fishing-partj, and that they 
called at Moss-Hey, near the village of 
Shaw, to fry their sport ; which were just 
served up to table, when a person coming 
in hastily, informed them that a party of 
the parliament's cavalry were in search of 
them ; and assured them that before they 
could finish their repast, the soldiers would 
be upon the spot. Whereupon they threw 
down knives, plates, fish, hooks and all, 
and tied, excepting only my good old an- 
cestor, the miller, who swore if the Devil 
himself came, he would have the last snack. 
He had scarcely finished, when they ar- 
rived. He by some means or other, how- 
ever, escaped from the house, and though 
closely pursued, he ran in such a zigzag 
direction over the mosses and quagmires 
adjoining the place, that their horses pre- 
sently stuck fast, and they themselves with 
much difficulty escaped. By this time my 
old dusty progenitor had reached Sholver- 



140 

Iley redoubt, fr< 

ceive theii v. 

them t.tiniiii-ly, //7,« 

(Jil/ts WO.V.' 

Above tli- 
in a w ild Inlet M I tlG <"' 

mountain-, lies a |>l 

SeotHmic u w li > it [| BOppOMd Bad 

lo.'vo-l the iiuv t!i it fallowed tbe abet- 

of (fee rebellion in LTJ 5. H iiat their 

occu vrei in Ihii y solitude i> 

unknown , hut 1 1 1 ♦ - n are 

frequently du- up here. 
Near to thtM drier] 
southerly, lie t!, ' itfi A 

Nook, and a puhlic-lu ! I«m1 /; 

/huji\\ i^,v.\, Uei a little I ami Mill 

a iiule 1«»\\ ei . ^ /,,/ 



Courlish«H\ 

^A I'D \ si pi IB 

Shaw : it ei.niain> 8 iwcii, 

and one whieh 



141 

as long back as I can trace, Mr. Worsley, 
gent, was a resident at Cowlishaw. 

There is a very neat-built house here, 
occupied as a public-house, by Mr. Jones. 
School-croft-lane, Rushy-fields, Holroyd's 
cotton-mill, with Low Crompton, Nether- 
house and Lime-field, Leonardin-cross, 
Narrow-gate-brow and Fir-lane, all lie on 
the eminence a little distance from Cow- 
lUhaw. 

Boundary of Crompton. 
We commence our circumambulation 
at Dog-forts-brook, which It the point of 
contact of the townships of Crompton, 
Royton, and Thornham, whence the line 
of boundary runs through the midst of a 
garden belonging to Mr. William Taylor, 
adjacent to his cotton-mill ; and crowing 
the said brook, to a tree growing in a 
close below Mr. Heap's house, thence it 
veres across the highway leading from 
Royton and Rochdale, and running along 
the fence behind the houses in Fir-lane, 
inducing them, and two houses denomi- 



142 

nated the Middle of the Brow, it re* 
crosses the road Again at Sarroiv-gate- 
brovc, and diverging* direct in a I 
from the point of congress of the three 
roads, from High Crompton, RocAuMil and 

Royton, ftOtafN a garden, and aloni: the 
boundary-fence to the boundary -tone 
which divide- Thornhain. I 
Crompton, w ln< placed I 

tarv rallej or i athei i 

PtYltj on a hioh li aa 

char. re i endered illegible 

'I {< >f Pttd 

the line of the tow Dflfaip, I 

therein ; from Ik 

ation divides the v Bui d< 

into two w Jnrh i ifl ( i . 

and the other in Castfatoti ; it di 
tlit- honsQ of Mr. Robert Mills of Ihhh- 

: on o! of bfc bOQM J mi are in 

( i inpit .: . h:t Me} to the otle f the 

room, and you are in Caatfetf ft in- 

Hag Mr, K. Mills' fa 
looking mansion] it just ttrfcfc 

from the hou*e of > .lames and John 



143 

Milne, cotton-manufacturers at Burnedge; 
this porch is in Crompton, and the rest of 
the building in Castleton : thence passing 1 
close by a cottage in Castleton (oe< uplod 
at present by John Buckley), it proceeds 
almost in a dhect line thence, to the 
boundary-stone placed in anvvulow below 
Briney-Heys, very near to a j)lace de- 
nominated Knott-Booth ; then along- the 
fence dividing Gorsey-Hey from Great- 
lley, and then the Little-Hey boundary- 
fence marks the limitation of the town- 
ship, without including Little-Hey; it 
then runs below Hill-top, bounding Hill- 
to] . and pdfesing by a circuitous 

feme very near to Helen road, boir. led 
by the rivulet, leaving a triangular / >ce 
of grmmd nrhich pays wo lays to emy 
toiejiship ; then iin I y the ou'-fence of 
Hilt-tap estate, i 1 by Heys estate, by 
Brown-Lee and the br n«k to Hurst-stile, 
above a place called Bottoms, then by the 
bound Mv-stone or fence passing across the 
Featherstall road, including a small c!ose 
on the opposite part of the said road, and 



144 

passing immediately by the hou.-es named 
Koftom-of-the-wood, following the oour>e 
of a mall rivulet which distils fiom tlie 

high lands of Butterwortk, <\<*. which 
streamlet divides the estate of Jamei Mil!-, 

Esq. from the Top-of-hil! . it then 

diverges from the lum i oaid, pMO* 

inu- Cowheyfl On the loft, and Staniards and 
SlODOOi <>n the i Igftrf . .1! I I h it is 

bounded by Koi ihl then by 

a wall along Hoogh-Hey and Bagh-Hej 

(dreary-looking ploOOi); the*o dh 
one lido, and llochdale Pal lsh-1 OOg h on 
the other, pursuing our bleak and solitary 
road till we come to Sir Joseph KadcIiflV* 
estate, winch foMM the boundary h 
(Vow t-knoll-pike j Cromplon turlV 
and desolated completes the limit- of the 
township to Cherry-clon. from 

thence a wall denominated >addlewoi th- 
wall, divides it tO Grains.-— Oldham tow i.- 
ship shews the limits to B o a W bri dj 
then Uoyton to wnsbip to Dogforti 
which see 



tup. 



TOWNSHIP of CHADDERTON". 



Chadderton township is bounded 
by Failsworth and MoetOD, in tlie parisli 
of -Manchester, on the south ; by Knott- 
lanes, In the parish of Ashton-under-line, 
on the east; by the township of Oldham on 
the north ; and by the townships of Ack- 
rington and Tonge, in the parish of Prest- 
wich, on the west. It contains one chapel 
of the establishment, which is built nearly 
in the middle of Hollinwood : it was 
p 



14(> 

erected in the year 1765, and consecrated 
July 8th, 1769 ; it is a plain brick build- 
ing", of the modern style, and had lately 
a small belfry annexed thereto, in the form 
of a tower. The first minister who oflici- 
ciated there, vrafl the Rev. John Darby, 
a.m. second master in the free grammar- 
school in Manchester: he held the mini-try 
of this chapel SO year*. He was after- 
wards minister of Bt, Paul's, Manchester) 
and of Gorton iii the -aid parish* The 
Rev. \V. R. Hay acted as assistant-curate 
for three yean under the Ke\ .John Darby. 
The Rev. Charles Panton Mydddeton, a.m. 
began his mini-try at Hollinwood, March 
25th, 1M)I ; who mi -ueceeded by the 
present minister, the Hev. John Holme : 
hecomni'Mi'ril hi- ministry at Hollinw 
chapel in September 1 3 



Fuxdenton'llidl, 

The ancient seat of the Rad< 

family, who have removed therefrom some 

time since. Their present residence is a! 



147 

Huish, seven miles from Blandford, in the 
parish of Winterbore Telstone. 

The appearance of Foxdentou-hall is 
dull, being much decayed ; and though 
silent, it speaks in language sufficiently 
intelligent — 

• I'm left in solitude to mourn my lord." 

I do not think the situation at all 
pleasant ; for being seated on a flat or 
level, it affords no gratification to the eye 
of curiosity, nor any delightful prospect ; 
for though the country round is in a good 
state of cultivation, yet the eye is quite 
limited in its view from the scite of the 
mansion itself. 

This township, and the estates of 
Foxdenton and Standish, were first bought 
by the ancient family of the Traffords of 
Trafford-hall, near Manchester, in the 
reign of king John. — The following pe- 
digree of this ancient family I here take 
the liberty to insert. — 



148 



1st. Radulphus de Trafford, lived before the 
Conquest, about 1030, and died in Edward 
the Confessor's time : ■boot L04& h 

Lord of Tratiord, and a Thane 

2nd. Radulphus de Traiiorcl — \ i.xit William the 
Conqueror. 

3d. Robert de Trafford, Temp, Win. EUtfus, 
4th. Henricus de Trafford, Temp. Stephen ; 
obit. 1 150. 

oth. Henricui dc Traft>rd, Temp. ll»nr\ II. 

obit. Staid yeai <>t Ric bard 1. 

6th. Richard dt Trafford, first Lord of Strat- 
ford, and bought the Township oi I 
derton, witli the estate s ton and 

Standisb, of Matthew filiua W ilharlii 

7th. Galfridus di GeoCrj de Trafford de I 

derton: be first assumed tin- nam. o(i liad- 
derton in the 10th \« sr of 11» nrj III. 

8th. William di Cbadderton. 

9th. Oeoftjf de Chadderto*T] Temp, KJw.II. 



John Radcliffe, ion of 
John Radcliffe, Re< toi 

of Bury, and 3d son of 
Richard de Radcliffe, 

of Radcliffe-Tower. 



Bdargan t, dr. of the 

I },i 1!( --» 

under whom the 
estati - of Cbadder- 
ton, Foxdenton, sod 
lands in An< w I 

came the |>i< 

the RadcliSes. I \ 
12 Bdward 141. 
John Radcliffe de Chadderton, 

I 



119 

Jolm Radcliffe de Chadderton. 

I 

Sir John Radcliffe, Knight — 



Richard Radcliffe de Chadderton, 
obit. 15 Henry VI. 



Robert Radcliffe, Esq. = Sister of the above 

of Ordshall. Sir John Radcliffe, <fe 

had Foxdenton e>t<jte 

allotted as her dowry. 

William Radcliffe, Esq. = 
(vulgarly styled Red 
Head of Foxdenton.) 

Thomas Radcliffe, Esq. as Daughter of Stiu- 
of Foxdenton. dish of Park brook. 

John Radcliffe, Esq. = Daughter of Cha- 
of Foxdenton. , therton of Nutthurst, 

Richard, 3d son of Sir = Margaret, their dr. 
Wm, Radcliffe, of sole heiress of Fox- 

Ordshall. denlou. 

Sir Wm. Radcliffe, of = Susan, dr. of Coote of 
Foxdenton. Loxham in Norfolk. 

Robert Radcliffe, Esq. = 
of Foxdenton ; living 
in 1009, | 

Sir Wm. Radcliffe, of — Daughter of Sir Row- 

Foxdenton. He was land Egerton, of 

a Captain, and after- Egerton, in county 

wards Colonel in the of Chester. 
Royal army. 

P 2 



m 

This Sir William Radelifle obtained 
for his services the honour of knight ho. 

He vras taken prisoner at the battle of 

Marston-moor, near Vork: as there is a 

pass still in existence, granting him safe 

conduct to FOXt i c h tO O , -ijrned ! 

Fairfax, in \n huh I n-'l I - a pri- 

soner) vei v honourable mention is m 

of him. His com .\}>tam. 

by Charles I. at Read <> to thou 

held Us court, li dated N 

After this be laoceoch a SI f Thomas Ashfc 

a> colonel *)l horse, which commission is 
signed by the hand of Charles II. then 

Prince n( Ws nd but ! 

dated " at the CowN at Ti urn 

In the 21st \(v,i- iA Charlei the . 

He seems to have coin! limself 

even in thoee critical times, so as to <:ain 

the lore of both his friends and thoee d 

nominated his ei The foil 

letter, as COO O t'tt liPg what 1 ha\ I 
served coneerninir him, written hv : 
great Fairfax himself, irith Ms on n band* 
and addrsssed to Lieut. -Gene 



151 

I cannot forbear transeri' log : the original 

is in the possession of — Elliot, Esq. Soli- 
citor, Uochdale, to whom I confess myself 
under obligations for his kind encourage- 
ment to me in this work. 

u For the Hon. Lieut. -(General Cruimvell. 

Sir — 1 have formerly written to 
Mr. Speaker on l>chalf of Sir Wm. Rad- 
clitfe and Sir Thomas Prestwich, dcfcifteg 
that DpOQ their addrcs.-cs tt> the Parliament 
for theil 1 compositions thr-'v miulit receive 
a favourable BtfltlMM*, in regard that as 1 
am informed they have demeaned them- 
selves with grot moderation in the country, 
often prottHtim; the inhabitants and parli- 
ament's friends from the violence of the 
-ohliers. I writ also to Mr. Stephens, to 
procure them what favour he could at 
Goldsmiths' Hall; but it seems they ha\e 
notwithstanding fined Sir Thomas Prest- 
w ich at three years value, which by reason 
of his great losses he is very unable to 
pay. 1 am unwilling again to trouble Mr. 



Speaker in the bosinees, hut rorommoml 

his condition unto you ; desiring tiiat in 
case he petition the boose for a mit _ 

of his fine, you will afford him \ 

ance therein. I remain your \< fas 

tionate friend, 

FAIRFAI 

After enjoying U 'I who 

were aeqoainted n ith Mi 

and his will is dated lolT. Ho was h 

needed in bit estate by hie kinsman, H 
bert Radcliffe, Eeq. of Withinehaw, in 
county <»i ( Chester, the fifth and aMi 
of sir Alexander RadeUfffc, of Or! 
Knight of the Bath. He was a i - in 

the unfortunate Dake of Ifonm 

LMiiKMit : his commission - 1 the 

87th day of March, 1676; but I have no 
record when he died : he was hoi 

u in a dm!. He married Ann, 01 
- rviving daughter and befareei of Row- 
land Byre, Esq, of Bradyay, in the county 

Derby. He i led by Ah-\- 

ander Radcliffe, Esq. who was appointed 



153 

Deputy-Lieutenant of the county of Lan- 
caster, by queen Anne's command. The 
appointment bears date May 1st, 1711 - 
he was living in 1730. He married Eliza- 
beth, daughter of Bagshaw of Hucklow, 
in tLe county of Derby. His son and suc- 
cessor, Robert KadclitVe, Esq. of Fox- 
den ton, married Margaret Bagshaw, only 
daughter and heiress ef Adam Bagshiw 
of \\ ormhitl, in the county of Derby. He 
was succeeded by the late Robert Rad- 
clitte, Esq. of loxdenton ; born June 4, 
17^7, and was mairied at Pregfwich, Log 
19, 17T^, to hi- coasio Fjraiieefl Sidobot- 
tom, daughter of the Rev. — Sidebottom, 
Rector of Middleton, who bad married his 
fathers sister, M try. The late Robert 
RadcliiVe, Esq. died at Baths De«* 18, 1*3 
and v» as buried at Bath Ea>ion : he was 

succeeded by the preeent Robert Radcliffe> 

Esq. of Foxdenton. — Wintei bourne, 
born Dec. 14, 177,3, was married to Mary, 
the fifth daughter of Thomas Patten, Esq. 
o£ Bank, near Warrington : they were 



m 

married at VVallcot church, Bath, April 
12th, 1796 . their issue 

1 Mary, born at Weymouth, March *;, 1797. 

2 Robert, — at Hillersden, Oct. 23, 1798. 

3 Dorothea, - at do, \uvember9, 1709. 
1 Kichard, — at do. Feb. 11, lr, 

B Irancrs, atClnttlc V.v. 16,1802. 

li ( "harh-s, — at do I i. 

7 I - a! IK.i Ii, Dorset. N«» tb$k 

6 Kli/ahi-ih Ianm a, a: Of). 

\nn lia, at il 

10 Julia, — at do 

( | n-IIn!l, 

Tin n M.lnirr «>i' the aocteftt famiry 
of the HOftOM, WM nnu-h improved I 

the late pr< ; Sir W atU Hot Ion, Hart. 

It is rather i i htaae, MM of brick, 

and h nearly surroin. / irardens I 

piaonu adt, En the fron; i 

hou>e is a beautiful park, from several 
eminences Of which are iloli^rht ful pro- 
spects: the park I al clumpe 
of trees, and aom€ fine timber of the fir 



155 

kind. Iu the house are some tolerable 
paintings of several predecessors of the 
Hoi ton family, &e. some plaster busts, also 
some beautiful cabinets of the Chinese 
fashion, very curiously wrought. On the 
right, near the house, is an elevation which 
was formerly a tumulus, n considera! 
part of which has boon taken away, when 
several relics of antiquity were dug up. 
I cannot forbear, however, to observe, 
that the high brick wall which the late 
pOMDOiOr ha> imbed in the front of the 
house, though it may have prevented the 
gate of p;issen^r> and visitants, has com- 
paratively destroyed that Ujghtnesa and 

elegaUOC which it formerly i -d, and 

which might still be restored by the elec- 
tion of Mime neat Chinese railing, instead 
of this hea\\, dull and dreary-looking 
wall. — The present owner is Sir r J homas 
Morton, Hart. 

The manor of Chadderton belonged 
to Richard de TratVord, in the reign of 
king John. Here follows the pedigree of 
the Chaddertons and the Ashtons direct, 



J 50 

till it ends in the Hortons, the present pos- 
sessors : — 



Richard de Trafford, who lived in the 
reign of king John, bought Cbadderton, iu- 
cluding Foxdenton and Standisb, of Matthew 
filius Wilhelmi, (See the pedigree df the Rad- 
ckffefl of Foxdenton.) which be gave with otbet 
lands to Geoffrj his younger sod. 

Geoffry de Traflbrd de Cbadderton: be firs! 
assumed the name ofChaddi rton, 19 Hen, 111. 

i 

William de Cbadderton : 

i 

Geoffrj de Chtdder Joan, dr. of William 

ton, vixit 11 Edw. II. Radclifl 

John Radcliffe, son of — Margaret, ustei and 
the Rector of Bury, beiresSj 2 Hen. 11. 

12 Edw. III. SeeRad- 
cliffe's pedigree. 

John Radcliffe of — 

Cbadderton. 

Sir John Radcliffe of — Elizabeth, dr. of — 

Cbadderton 
Richard Radcliffe of — Elizabeth, dr. of — 

do. 
Edmund Ashton, a — Joan Radcliffe, dr. 
younger son of Ash- of Richard Radcliffe 

ton of Ashton-uuder- aforesaid, coheire>s. 

line : 



157 

Edmund Ashton, son — Jennet, dr. and co- 
and heir, obit 34 Hen. heiress of Sir James 
VIII. Harrington of Woolf- 

age and Hornby. 
James Ashton, son & — Agnes, dr. of Charles 
heir, An , etatis 48, Mainwaring of Crox- 
ad mortem patris, ob. ton in Cheshire. 
3 Edw. VI. 

Edmund Ashton, son — Ann, dr. of Ralph 
& heir, An etatis 27, Prestwich, of Holme 
ad mortem patris, ob. near Manchester. 
27 Eliz. aged 79. 

Richard Ashton, 3d — Ann, dr. of Henry 
son of the above Whitaker of Faken- 
Edmund. hurst. 

Edmund Ashton, Esq. — Dorothy, dr. of Ro~ 
High Sheriff of co. bert Duckinfield, of 
of Lancaster, obit Duckinfield. 

3 Charles II. 

James Ashton, Esq. of — Catherine, dr. of John 
Chadderton Greenhalgh, Esq, of 

Brandlesommil. 

William Ashton,* 5th — Martha, dr. of Jay, 
son, sold Chadderton brother of Whalley. 
to Joshua Horton, 
Rector of Prestwich. 

* Edmund Ashton was the eldest son, and would have 
been the heir ; he was Lieut-Colonel in the Horse-Guards • 
and was unfortunately killed in a duel, when 21 years of age , 
on the 17th March, 1664. He was gentleman of tbc bed- 
chamber to the Duke of York* 

4 



158 



Here follows a pedigree of the Hor- 
ton family, the present residents at Chad- 
derton-Hall : — 



William Horton, of — Elizabeth, dr. of Tho- 
Firth-house,Howroyd, mi Hanson, oi Toot- 
Barkisland, Colev, a hill; will dated July 

Sowerby in Yo/ksh: 16, 1660. 

living in 1603. 

Joshua Horton, of — Martha, dr. and co- 

Sowerby, son of the heiress of Thomas 

Above William, born Binns, ofRushworth, 

161J) ; was Justice of in Bingley parish; ob. 

the Peace, and pur- July '23d, 16JH, and 
chased the manor of buried at Sowerby. 
Horton, nearBradford; 
ob. at Sowerby, April 
7,1670; etatis60. 

Joshua Horton, Esq. — Mary, dr. of Robert 
of Chadderton, co. of Oregg, of Hapsford, 
Lancaster, which in Cheshire ; married 

estate he purchased Feb. 27, 1678; obit, 

from Ashton of Chad- 27th Dec. 1708. 
derton : he was Rec- 
tor of Prestwich; born 
Jan. 2, 1657 ; obiU 
Dec. 15, 1708. 



159 



Thomas Horton, born 
May 9, 1685; obit. 
March 18, J 757 ; was 
Governor of the Isle 
of Man, and Justice 
of the Peace for the 
co. of Lancaster. 

Sir Wm. Horton,Bart. 
obit. Feb. 25, 1774 : 
etatis 61 ; created 
Bart, in 1764. 



Sir Watts Horton, 
Bart, of Chadderton, 
co. of Lancaster, born 
Sept. 1753 ; ob. Nov. 
1811. 



Succeeded in the title 
and estate by his 2d 
brother, Sir Thomas 
Horton, clerk, rector 
of Wittington, & after 
of Badsworth ; born 
July 1, 1758, the pre- 
seut possessor of 
Chadderton-hall. 



Ann, dr. & coheiress 
of Richard Mostyn, 
of London, merchant; 
obit. June 17, 1725, 
aged 39 years. 



— Susannah, dr. & co- 
heiress, of Francis 
Watts, of (Join-bridge 
forge, gent. ob. May 
19, 1778; etatis — 47- 

— Henrietta, dr. of 
James Lord Strange, 
and sister of Edward 
Stanley,Earl of Derby. 
Issue by her, Henri- 
etta Susannah Anne 
Horton, born Jan. 4, 
1790. 

— Elizabeth, dr. of Jas. 
Lord Strange, and sis- 
ter to the Earl of 
Derby ; ob. April 13, 
1796. 

Issue, Charlotte Hor- 
ton, born at Witting- 
ton, co. of Lancaster, 
Oct.21,1784 ; married 
to - Pollard Esq. Oct. 
21, 1805. 



160 

The third brother of Sir Watts Horton, was 
William, Captain of the Royal Lancashire 
Militia, now dead. 



Chadderton-Fold, 

Which 1 suppose was once the prin- 
cipal place in the township, is now re- 
duced to much less consequence than 
Hollinwood : it only contains a few strag- 
gling cottages, built without any kind ol 
form or regularity. 

Cliadderton Cotta 

Emphatically bo denominated, in 

contrast with the hall, U lying near 
thereto. Situate in a fine piece of pas- 
ture-land adjoining, was some time ago a 
very small genteel habitation, and was 
occupied by a descendant of the Horton 
family. 

Wide of Chadderton-Fold, on the 
ascent of a pleasant eminence, lies Yeakis 



161 

Green, formerly the residence of a family 
of the name of Yealds, near which is 



Chadderton School, 

Built by subscription, and vested in 
the hands of certain trustees, for the elec- 
tion of a master. 

The places called Nod Chadderton- 
Heights and Cinder-hill, lie still higher 
on the eminence. 

Cowhill with Alder-root, 
Form, united, a kind of small village, 
with two public-houses, and a considerable 
number of cottages. It contains a neat 
habitation, the present residence of Mr. 
Sharpies. — A national school has been 
erected here very lately, under the pa- 
tronage of Sir Thomas Horton, Bart, of 
Chadderton-hall. The land on which it 
is erected was given by him for the 
purpose of founding so laudable an in- 
stitution. Beiow Cowhill lies 
Q 2 



!62 

StockfieUI, 

Some time ago the residence of — 
Hibbert, Esq. was some few years ago a 
very pleasant retreat from the bustle of 
the town ; it had some ne.it gardens ad- 
joining, which were laid out in a \ 
agreeable manner. At present it is let off 
in different habitations, and li fast hasten- 
ing to decay. 

Stock-mill and Bank-mill, two con- 
siderable cotton manufactories, lie adja- 
cent to Cowhill. Above tlii> \ alley, on the 
upland, lies Matthew-fields and fold : abo 
a place called Nimble-nook: apublic-hou>e 
and several ranges of brick Mttagei con- 
stitute this place. 

More southerly lies an old man- 
called Lower-house, occupied as a faun : 
Butler-fold lies wide thereof, and Butler- 
green : and more southerly is Colt>l. 
given, Dowry-lane, Tonge-lane, and Tin I- 
lane, contain each a very considerable 
number of new erections, chiefly > 
cottages. Hence we descend to 



163 

Birchen- Bower, 

Which from its name, must be an 
ancient habitation ; though it is at present 
occupied only as a farm, I conceive it was 
formerly a place of considerable conse- 
quence. It was lately the residence of 
Mr. Robinson, the proprietor thereof, who 
is now removed to Harpur-Hey. White- 
gate-end, which is a noted ancient 'resi- 
dence, lies near to the boundary of 
the township west. It is worthy of re- 
mark, that this township extends to the 
scite of a stone which formerly was fixed 
near the middle of White-moss. 

I had inadvertently omitted to men- 
tion a place called Hardman's-fold, lying 
near Hollinwood : this was doubtless ori- 
ginally the residence of the Hardinans, a 
considerable number of whose family are 
still residents near Hollinwood. This 
township is truly remarkable, as contain- 
ing a great number of roads, on the bor- 
ders of which are erected numerous cot- 
tages, which are all denominated Lanes. 



104 
viz. Burnley-tone, 8ioci4ane i Block-l 

Old-lane, Denton-lnnc TkdmptOH-li 

Dowry-lafie, Moughi4cme % 7 
Tonge-lanei and Bawtry-lane. 



Boundary of Chadderii ip. 

I commence the boui had* 

dertoo townahip at tl 
public-house, Hollinwood, irhich si 
therein ; and (hen along a stone wall on 
the right thereof, _ I - M 

chester-i oad, fojrmii j includ- 

ing the public-! _ - . 

and . iding ■ COtl 

called the \Y Ulowa, completij j 
by returning to the b able of the 

Lamb Inn ; , and 

the warehousing of M< Ker- 

shaw, and pro< by a ; the 

top of Bower-lane, ling which, in- 

cluding four col idle] -be 

following the fence behind thee 
tqges the distance of two Inclos 
the foot of a tall oak I the back of 



165 

the King's Head, at the bottom of Hollin- 
wood : from the tree aforesaid, the out- 
fence of the Bower estate, belonging to 
Mr. Robinson of Harpur-hey, divides this 
township from Failsworth all along, till 
at a place called Banks, or vulgarly Bongs, 
it crosses the Rochdale canal; from thence 
it is bounded by the late Mr. S. Scholes* 
estate, near Earnshaw-lane, which sepa- 
rates the townships of Moston and Chad- 
derton ; then by the out-fence of a farm 
called the Roughs, and another farm be- 
longing to Hilton, Esq., <»f Ppnning-ton, 

ami afterwards by one belonging Radeliffe, 

Esq , late of Foxdenton, then the bound- 
ary-fence of the aecomodation-lane lead- 
ing from IIurdm«H-J\>ld to Crunblesy heuee 
from Crimbles to Alder-lam -cud, thencq 
alon^ the fence to (he very top of Aid r- 
lane, near White-gate-end : from this 
point, by a fence direct to near the middle 
of White-moss, where there formerly stood 
a white stone as a landmark, the town- 
ships ofChadderton, Ackrington, andMos- 
ton, here converge : from thence the line 



1«6 

of limitation directly passes a farm called 
the Roughs, belonging- to the said Rad- 
cliffe, Esq. running in a direct line nor- 
therly, till it comes in contact with a 
streamlet falling into the Irk; having 
crossed which, it is bounded by Tonge, 
passing the boundary-fence of Slack's 
estate, near to and including A re la* or 
Hercules' green, by Waroek-hill : hence 
including a part of Mills-hill, it descends 
to Little-green, at which place a mill tor 
working iogWOOQ forms the boundary 
point of the township towards Middle- 
ton : hence, Including the farm of the 
late Mr. Edmund Hall, and along the 
fence of Boarshaw estate, in Thornham, 
includiftg Black-pits, xop-of-fields, Ne#- 

niarket, and by Cinder-hill ; then descend* 

ing by Race-field ami the Jelllott 
Street-bridge, along thence by Birchen- 
lee and the Wood estate, to Burnlt 
including Busk, &c. ; an angular point 
extends to near Leo^-hall cotton-mill, in- 
cluding Bull-stake, one-half of Cowhill, 
the whole of Alder-root, along Block- 



167 

lane, to the mill (once the old mill of 
Wernith)^; thence by Yew-tree to the top 
of Old-lane, along by the Roe-buck pub- 
lic-house, and by Pute-nook to Ralph- 
green, and the four houses in Dowry-lane, 
and crossing thence, we arrive at the said 
Bowling-green again, our first place of 
migration. 



* I have described the new boundary of the township 
here ; but in the map I have marked out the correct old 
boundary, As described 300 years ago, viz. from Wernith 
old mill to Collier-stone, near Cash-yate ; from thence in a 
direct line, cutting ofF about five yards of the south-east cor- 
ner of the chapel-yard, by Grace-well, to the corner house 
above Grooocks, and so on by the Bowling-green aforesaid. 



CoyogvairiWiTl Hi0t 



Explanation of letters — C, township of Crompton; r, Roytoa; 
c, Cliadderton ; o, Oldham. 



Bumedge, betwixt the townships of Cromp- 

ton and Castleton, N. of Shaw. 
Green hill 9 nearer to Shaw than Burnedge, 

and N. thereof ; C. 
Briney-HeySy wide of Burnedge, N. of 

Shaw ; C. 
Hill-top, beyond Whitefield from Shaw; C. 
itfoss-#a/e,nearThread-mills,N.ofShaw;C w 
Holebottom, nearWhitefield, N. of Shaw; C. 
Primrose-hilly near High Crompton, N. of 

Shaw; C. 



170 

Higher Rut-Croft near High Crompton, 
N. of Shaw; C. 

Whilefield and Whilefield-hall, situate on 
a hill X\ of Shaw ; C. 

Wood-end., at the foot of Whitefield bi 
N. of Shaw; ( . 

Loner Hisl-Croft, X. of Shaw, in a flat be- 
low High Crompton j C. 

Narrow-f/afc-br<nk', on the top of the hill 
appending froifl Kovton.on the Rochdale 
road, N. E. of R03 U)H : 0. 

Top-of-Knolly betwixt Narrow-gate-brow 
and Bigh Cromptop, XE. of Royton; ('. 
heonardin~Cro9$i betwixt Nam 

brow and Hijrh Crompton, XE. of K 

ton ; C 
Heal-Moor and lleal-IIejf, beyond § 

from Oldham, on the Eeathci >tal-i tMul : 

C. 
Stanford* and 8/ences, two remote pi 

lying in the wilds of the conditioning 

abc^e. and XE. of Shaw ; C. 
Hroicn-bar/t, lies in a deep ravine in the 

moorlands B. of ShftW : <\ 
Thread-mills, lies behind High Cromp 

and X B. of Shaw ; C. 
Spadesrcrojt. near Crompton-fold,and NE. 

of Shaw ; C. 
Lanc\ betwixt Shaw and Spades-croft. XK. 

of Shaw ; C. 
Jubilee, on the Featherstal-road, betwixt 

Shaw and Milnrow ; C. 



171 

High Crompton, nearly N. of Shaw, on the 
old road to Rochdale ; C. 

Shore-edge, near Crompton-fold, on a 
branch of the Featherstal-road, nearly 
E. of Shaw ; C. 

Crompton Hall and Fold, nearly con- 
nected, on a branch of the Featherstal- 
road, and E. of Shaw. 

Park-house, the seat of J. Mills, Esq. 
NE. of C. 

Covclishaw, a small village SW. of Shaw ; 
C. 

High-barn, SE. of Royton ; r 

Rough Covccotes, nearly E. from Royton ; r 

Thorpe, a small ancient village NW. of 
Royton ; r 

Thorpe Clough, near Thorp, NVV. of Roy- 
ton ; r. 

Jelliots, four different places lying a little 
above Street-bridge, and NW. of Roy- 
ton ; c 

Race-field, above Street-bridge, and NVV. 
of Royton ; r 

Roylep, SW. of Royton, noted for its coal 
works ; r 

Holdenfold, SW. of Royton ; r 

Haggate, W. of and near Royton ; r 

Quakers' -meeting, SE. of Royton ; r 

Heyside, a village, SE. of Royton, on the 
road from Oldham to Shaw ; r 

Littttwood, connected with Heyside, and 



172 

SE. of Royton ; one part in Crompton, 

and the other part in Royton township. 
Dry-clough, a small village nearly S. of 

Royton ; r 
Te/low-fold, nearly N. of Oldham, lying 

YV. of the road from Oldham to Royton; 

Oldham township. 
Wood and Further Woody two farms 

NW. of Oldham ; c 
Baij-Trcis % Loteerand W<}hcr. two bran 

NW. of Oldham; C 

Boothroad-Ume or Bootkroyd-lane, PfE, 

of Oldham, lies in the to* ef Old- 

ham and Koyton. 
White Banks or Hongs, nearly NE. of 

Oldham ; r 
lldge-lane, on the old road from Oldham 

to Royton, ME, from Oldham: r 
Higyinshaii w, J/ifj/tt r and Lower, on the 

old highway Cram Oldham la Shaw; NE 

of Oldham: one in tin* township of Old- 
ham, the other In Roytoa* 
Birtchmr or Birch shun iw, and 

almost 8. thereof : C« 

Moss-IJet/. near Shaw, and nearly v 

thereof; C« 

Milt-croft, very near Shaw, and E. tin 

of; c. 

Greenfield* nearly ad joining Shaw ; C. 
Rough Meadow, Moss, and Older*. \\ 
near each other, neaily S. of Shaw : the 



173 

two first in Crompton, and the latter in 

Oldham township. 
Hot-hole, Nook, Black dough, and the 

three Doghills, all SE. of Shaw; C. 
Bank-house, Lane-side, Roses, Sloney 

Lee, and Kirchanook, SE. of Shaw ; C. 
Brun-spring, Ecclebonny, Brim, and 

Grains, distant from Shaw, and SE. 

thereof ; C. 
Holebottom, nearly SW. of Shaw ; C. 
Fidler's-folly, near Grains, E. and in the 

township of Oldham. 
New-hank, near Heyside, SW. of Shaw; C. 
Fidlwood, lies S. of Shaw ; o 
Dingle, S. of Shaw, in a deep ravine; o 
Sholrer village, Bent-gate, and Hodge 

('lough, all nearly E. of Oldham ; 
White-craft, Broadbent, Pee-cote, Uarley- 

road, and Throstle-nest, all nearly E. 

veering to N from Oldham : o 
fVheistone-liill, an ancient farm NE. of 

Oidham ; o 
Wootherhtll, Slacks, Sholrer -too or, and 

Smtfield, ancient farms, nearly E. from 

Oldliain ; it 
I'ounlhill, a very small village : Crowley, 

Poden, and Ilucen, all ancient resi- 
dences, and E. inclining to S. from the 

town of Oldham ; © 
Coldhurst, an ancient place NE. of the 

town Oldham ; o 

R 2 



174 

Higher Moor and Lower Moor, contain- 
ing each a considerable number of cot- 
tages, having the appearance of villas 
lie nearly E. of the town of Oldham ; 

Mumps-brook, and ttofteai nfiii 

>iderable village.-, now so nearly joined 
to be considered i part of the town 
of Oldham ; IS. of the town, iuelining to 
S. : 

Statrtpiione, Pttbank. lh>) in-fnld, and 
LonerhfHi**'. remarkable pla . of 

the town pf Oldham : 
Higher and Lower Horsedgi m of 

antiquity, lyini^ NK. 0f tin- town of 

Oldham 
Qreenacres villas » direct, and 

Waterhead-mill, all considerable pit 

SE, of Oldham: 
Higher and Loner Clarksfield, hi 

the two New-earths, Hank. U'ellinhob . 

and Down/. SE, of Oldham ; o 
Glodwiek \ //, Round/horn, 

and Lows/de, all nearly S. Inolining to 

E. of the town, and all vei ler- 

able places, baviDg neaily the appear- 
ance ot 
Waterloo, Slice)) washes, tf'arrens, JAlii v. 

0.\HC//o,and Cht , rtj-iutibnj. noted ph 

S. of Oldham : 
Primrose-bank, Hroadnn'j-biHe, Honey- 

Wftjf hm e ; Hid ht Chamber, ami 



J75 

VFernith halls, SW. and inclining to 
the W. of Oldham ; very remarkable 
places ; o 
Clre at field -gali*, Moor-hey, and Top-of- 

lane, all SE. of Oldham ; o 
Cowhill and Alder-root, forming united, 
a small village, lying nearly W. of Old- 
ham, in the townships of Oldham and 
Chad der ton. 
Block-lane, Nimble-nook, Lower-house, 
Butler-fold, and Butler-green, remark- 
able places W. of Oldham; c 
Stockfield, Bank-mill, Stockbrook, Mat- 
thew-fold, Fields-fold, and Foxdenton- 
hall, all lie N. W. of Oldham ; c 
Coal or Coltshaw-green, a place of anti- 
quity, Dowrt/-lane, Turj-lane, and the 
ancient residence of Birchen-bower, and 
White-gate-end, all lying nearly W. of 
Oldham ; c 
IVash-pits and Slacks, two farms on the 
extreme borders of the townships of 
Chadderton and Oldham, nearly W. from 
the latter. 
Mill-brook, Copster-hill, Hoi I ins (which 
is a small village), and the farm of Oak, 
with Lime-gate and Luneside; and also 
Street, which lies on the extreme verge of 
the township of Oldham SW. All these 
being ancient residences within the 
chapelry, I deem worthy of notice. 



macsame 



litograqpfncal UnecUotes 



of former 



RESIDENTS OF OLDHAM. 



Hugh Oldham (the name is some- 
times spelt Owldham). Wood says, he 
was bora at Manchester; but Fuller, in 
his Worthies, says at Oldham, which is 
much more probable, as there is a tradi- 
tional account still in existence, that he 
was born in a house said to have been the 
ancient hall of the Oldhams' of Oldham, 
now occupied as three cottages, <fcc. : the 
central part thereof was lately used as a 
dye-house, by Mr. Nelson, of Oldham, hat- 
manufacturer. The cottages are occupied 



178 

at present by John O'Neil, schoolmaster : 
— Wild ; and another person, whose name 
I am unacquainted with. It was, within 
my recollection, a |>ublic-hou>e, kept by 
a Mr. Hcyuooil. It h by all v. ritars, how- 
ever, agreed, thai be descended from the 
Oldhams of Oldham.* t ! for 

(Ike uriirersity, he vras senl 16 Oxford, and 
afterwards to Cambridge. In Sept. I 
he h aa made prebendary <»t' Sooth AnKon, 
in the ehnreh of Saram« He was also a 
canon of Lincoln, and chapl tin to M 
i, Countess <»f Richmond. In I 

he wa- 1 <>f South Cave, in the 

county <•! York. <,n t h< • Pr. 

Win. v. r oi lie] , and installed Jan 

the same year. In 

Bishop oi Bxetef j and i i the 

tempo rallies, Ian. 

on a contest w [th the A bbol of 1 1 

and refu>in . ! >n of 

the court it Rome, he was exconunoni* 

cated. Ete died Jnne M, I5t9, and iras 

buried in a chapel built I 
joining te the cathedral of 



.\m<*, as rltiminf an* oVirmt. 
Mil I lia^Mtw remwv H that 

Ilu* wife of Mr. l>n naml i latr *nrceo«), and the wife of Mr. 
Wright, dnqptTj and their cluklun, air desceodeals of the 
ancient familv. 



179 

pftuth side, dedicated to God the Saviour. 
In this chapel he appointed some of the 
vicars-choral to say mass daily for his soul. 
He suppressed the House of the Holy 
Trinity at Totness, ID Devonshire, founded 
by D« la Hont, lord of Little-Totness, 
and irave the lands to the vicars-choral, 
that they mi<rht dine together daily. He 
founded the free-school at Manchester — 
huilt it himself, and aj)j)ointed a master 
and usher, to teach children oralis, after 
the form of IJanbury school, Oxfordshire. 

The Bohooli try he appointed at 

£10 per annum . the usher £&; they were 
to takfl HO gratuities, cork-pennies, victor- 
pennies, potation-pennies, &C« The prv- 
lident of Cot f Of , in QXOD. nominates the 

ter; tlie warden < ► i Manchester is the 
vNilor. The masters* salaries are now 
considerably improved. Thfl school was 

n founded by Hugh Ue>w ick, clerk, 
and Joan l>e-wick, widow, (who were 
kinsfolk to the l>i<hop ). anno 10 Klizabeth. 

He wag a benefactor to Braxaotnoaa and 

( 'orpus-Christi College?, in Oxford. (See 
Wood's Ath. ()\. vol.i. p. 561.) He is said 
to have been a ^ood scholar, and to have 
been religious above the time he lived in; 
an enemy to monkish superstition, and a 
friend to learning. 



inu 



Ralph Ci owe 
of Ralph Codworth 

Manchester, I <eq. eh el Loi <l ol I Ndham, 
a as bred Fello* ol Bmani 
bridge j bb exeeMent i I 

ried the daughter i He 

contimi i Bnfahod mnm hnpei 

aroi ki of M r. I 

cf\M-<\ In- mi|»j ^ Au- 

di* lie was at last 

snitrcl hy tin* < '<>!!< iuH, to the 

(hoi Alter, In Somersetshire, an. I 
Fuller's Wortl I 

Cudworth, the vreU-knowa anritei <>t the 

" Inlrll. i the 

above Ralph Coda ai th« | Baa h i 

< \ i I ; . . 

horn at All. ml I think - 

seqnently, thai Ful i hi the 

data of iher'k pret»< i«» the 

pariah of A lief, as above stated ; fi i 
conceive ha redded at C aaih t hlg e til' 
prooentation. 

Of Robert Ctadu orth, it is affirmed that 
he was not only distil 1 by 

extensive learning, and profound know. 



• 1 Mi. m tl. .t Mr.JohaS^olicia.ofCowbill Lodgr, 
is tho nearest descendant of the (aniiU of the Cudwortbi in 

the lovNuship ol Oldham, 



101 
ledge in metaphysics and philosophy, but 

by exemplary piety, and a meat modera- 
tion and rectitude of character, which 
rendered him an honour to the institutions 
where he presided, to the University of 
e, which he adorned, and to the 

ehureh and tgti in irhich he lived. )Ir. 

Granger o j, that Dr, Cudworth held 

the same rank in metaphysics, that Dr. 

Barrow did in sublime geometry ; and his 

daughter lie style- (he learned and accom- 
plished Lady Ma$ham, whose memory de- 
serves t<> be held in high bonour, both for 

her own attainment-, and bei unshaken 

friendship to Mr. Locke. ^Biog. Brit. 
Vlasham* i 



L I W%\ n« B Ch i DDBRTOM « ft* born 

at Chaddtrton s In Lancashire, ol ancient 
and wealthy parentage, about the ye 
1546. Hi> parents being both Papists, 
they trained him up in that religion, yet 

bred him to learning; and When became 
to maturity ot hi> lather sent him 

to the Inns ol' Court ; but he not being 
pleased with that kind of life, lei t them, 
and went to Cambridge a' out the ^Otli 
year of his age, and the 6th of Queen 

Elizabeth ; and getting soma acquaintance 
in Christ's College, where the Masters and 

Fellows took such a liking* to him for Ms 



102 
[hgenuityand industry, that they adu 

him Into ■ pOOl SObolari | Be then 

* rote to hi- father, to at him 

hit pi eeent condition* tad to 1 1 
means of mainti n him : hut his 

father disliking bii change of pi 
■todies, l>ut especiallj of religion, ien( 
n poke, w ith I In it, to po a bee_ 

with ; farther signifying to him. that ho 
was resolved t<> disinherit him. irUoh hi 
aleo did. 1 -eeing that bs had 

BOtMng ales to trail to, he fell close to 

hi- itodiei j ami he mi eminently profited 
in all POI \M Ol k that in 

hut yet Baobab Im oral chosen 

Fellow <>i ( in 41am. In 1678 be 

('(iiiiniciK'cil Hachelor ol 1 ». ■ ami 

the same \eai he 

St. Paul's erots, which he aluo 
ll«' w as eho> v I 

ehureh. in Cambridge, which | rap- 

plied tor neerh i yean.- H< 

man famous lOf gravity, learning, and 
ion ; so that \\ hen v may, 

Counsellor of State to Q 

ami under Treasurer of the Exchequer, 
founded Emanm I lade 

choice of this man For the first masti 

when Mr. Chadderton >he\ved himsell 
willing to undertake that gl M, v 

Walter replied, M It* you will not he the 
master* I will not bs Im founder of 



183 

In the beginning* of King James** 
reign, he was one of the four divines for 
the conference at Hampton-Court, and was 
the same year chosen to be one of the 
translators of the Bibfe. About this time 
aNo, be was nominated a trustee for the 
building of the grammar-school at Old- 
ham, which was built by James Ashton, 
EStq< Df <'hadderton. in 1611* And 1 sup- 
pox* about this time (according to Fuller) 

ng on a vi.-it to hi* friends Id Fftnoei' 
phire, be ptm*hed Id his native country; 

and after preaching two hours, and think- 
ing he had *sed too long on the pa- 
Ikmkt of his hearers, he was concluding 
hii dbCOUfte, when the auditory unani- 
mously exolalmed, M For Gfod'i lake, sir. 

fro on goon!"- In L6.12 he commenced 
DoQtOf of Divinity. lb* dfetei ved very 

wrli of Bmanuel College; for whereas the 
founder give allowance for the main- 
tenance of three Feliowi only, together 

with the advowson of Standi ound rectory, 
in Huntingdonshire, near Peterborp'. l)i\ 

(hadderton procured by hta frleudi and 
acquaintance, allowance for twelve Fel- 
lows, and above foi (y xdiolai - of the hou<e, 
-ides the advowsons of Auler or Aller, 
and Nortkcudberry rectories : as also the 
vie of Dulverton, i?i Somei >etshire; 

Piddie-Hittoo, Id Dorsetshire ; and be also 
procured Loughboro', in Leicestershire, of 



J 84 

the noble Henry H . Bar! of Hunt- 

ingdon. Dr. Pretton raooeeded him in 
the mastership of the col 
liini Dr. Send off, both of n I 
vived ; and then Dr. II !i. Re was 

of s rerj charitable disposition, Ineomoofa 
tliat if he heai d ol anj godly min 
thai was in want, lie would sei 
forty or tiiiv shillings at i time. Thoorh 
be lived till hf v 
remained \ ei > good I 
the resignation ol id in 

Nov. hi-10, he '1 "[' t tO 

God, being about I and 

u a- inn led m Si 

tract from .v Clfi ke'i Pen 



John L i k i . d.d, Bfa 
tei , born in PetUcQat»lane, Balil 
baptised at the parish chai ch the 
6th, ll»- n en no 

loyalty at Cambridge; bat made his es- 
cape to the king at Oxford, and served 

in the m\al arm\ • - he w ;- 

present at ti 

Wallingford. He 

when the royal cause was at its 

ebb, July 86, 1647, H 

sermon afl lecturer, at I 

place infected with repuW 

he therefore left it. After this 'tied 



]85 

at Oldham, as curate of the parochial 
chapel there ; after which, by the assist- 
ance of soldiers, he was conducted to the 
vicar of Leeds. Soon after, being at York, 
a commotion arose, and before he could 
<ret away from thence, he was in danger 
of being killed by the mob there. After 
thki Ik* was made rector of St. Botolph's, 
Bishop -ii ate- street, London. At the pre- 
sentation of Edmund Ashton, Esq. he was 
mad" rectOJ of Pre>twieh, in 1 6t>0, and was 
after-ards nominated by Wilham Earl of 

Darby, to the bishopric of Man, in 168?, 
and eoij pci ,ited in Dec. After this he 
\\a- c(iii>f" rated bishop of Bristol, and 

then promoted to the See of Chichester. 

Hi however refused to take the oath of 
alleuianee to William ] II. He died An^. 
1689, Bged | '.."• \<mis ? truly loyal to the 
race of the Stew.ut-. a rigid advocate for 
the epiecopucy, and a staunch friend to 
order and regularity. It was daring the 
time he was rector of Preftwieh that 
Henry Whitaker jpai di.-char^ed by him 
from being the parish clerk of the paro- 
chial chap*] of Oldham, baring neglected 
to enter either the births, marriages, qr 
deaths, in the register-book thereof, for 
twelve years. 



Mr. Samuel OGDEN,aNon-conformist 
minister,ejected on the noted Bartholomew 

N 2 



180 

He was i of Oldham in Lett* 

cashh 8j student ol ( 1 
bridge. When he bed * 
be iM.ii i led the daug bter of Mr I 
who, the Nun-- i Joorael *ey»i 

i i mtnistei In Oldham, 
adds, i pious Nun-< ■< i his 

i ton, in De 
shire, ahum <* presented 

to the parocbl d chapel of 1 
Earl of Rutland, the pah on. M 

g ! rat natural talents ; WU I 

wrote pure Latin; and COOld read any 

Greek aothoi currently into th at 

fii it sight: I 1 \«tm»<1 in the 

Hebron id mathemat 

of music, botfa \ <»< J and im 

He took great delight in poetry, especially 

Latin [>o<>ti \ 

a M8. on the I t Le 

soul between d< 

When tlr d Archl n/jw## 

tia\ elled tin 

Ofc'len, whii run\ ri>ed a Ith L : mi hi 
He continued hi^ min 
at Fairfield till 1657, when he was calk 
Mackworth, m 

I i\e him 

tin* Free-echool at i th, in . 

he died Maj 26, l( .7. aged aboot It , and 

a m buried In the church at \\ 



TOWN AND NEIGHBOURHOOD 

OF 

OLDHAM. 

1817. 



OLDHAM DIRECTORY 



ihwoetb Robort, carder, eet. 

Andrew John, batter, do 
Aehton John, Bagger d - George-st 

Allen John. W h«'<-!\s Pig lit. Klii^->1. 

Airy Bella, shopkeeper, Manchesiernrt. 

Ayrton Mi - \ ce, Fountain*st. 

Appleby Blakebro', butcher Hottom-of-m. 

Ion Andrew, shopkeeper, do 
Buckley Edmund, Royal Sailor, Copy-nook 
Bradley Benj. hatter, Manchester-st. 

Booth William, ha ot h -- 1 . 

Butterwerth J& post Manchester*^ 

Buckley John, grocer, Laglo-<t. 



19i) 

Beswick Cbs. Gen. Aberoromb Roy1on-#t. 

Bentley Gfoorga, fun, weaver, v. 

Blaymire — 8chooI-aia>t< r da 

Bantlay Wul botafear, do 

Bieklej Rowland A ion, irbaelwrightt, da 

Bramhall Mrs. milliner, do 

Bliei l"v Mi — . milliiw- i 

Buckley John. • tettraTj do 

Bellotl Abm* furnoo, Pnygt 

Buckley A I'M. c ilii -.!.: . B Kb 

Bowery Chriat. oora iealei . M 

Bonn J« haikot mafcor (k won r , d » » 

Barlow Etabei t, tin-man. d 

Battereby Richard, batcher, M :>lace 

Bradbury The 

Butler. Blomala tler,drapere, Ac. do 

Briei lay John, hat niannftirtni w . 

Resw ick Adam, . I ountain 

Bai ker W . OOttOft** aita d 

Blakemail J i "(1-inakrr, d<> 

Bamford J . g r ooan ^ taa*i \i 

Bullock Jan I I< nthaw-et. 

v liM-m. 1 lank-lull 
kei Jau 

Bentlej ( \\< - . 

Haistow J< Liou, Hi^h 

Barnei Pete linker, da 
Bamford W . \\ bit n, do 

Bradley Joe. eurn dqal do 

Bates Jafl | 0| e-makei . 

Barlow Heuiv. tis^plate-arorii 
BlsuQkborne Jol - da 



191 

Bam ford Andrew, glazier, Lord-st. 
Bailey Jas. hatter, cVc. EUgh-st. 

Bradbury J. & R. cotton-manuf. Lord-sf. 
Bamfdrdi Mesdames* Church-lane 
BinDi Jag. glasa and china dealer, Clegg-st. 
Bailey John, waste-dealer, Vorkshire->t. 

Botterworth Js. ironmonger, do 
ButterWortb Kobt. tin-plate-worker, do 
Barlow II. Esq. attorney, Rhodes-boose 
Booth Richard, butcher, Bottom-of-m. 
Clegg Janes, shopkeeper, Manehesfer-st 
i iper James, hatter, do 

Cooper Wm. school-master, West-st. 

( [egg Almi. (Soq, hat-manufacturer, do 

Cbadwlck Jos, hatter, do 

Chadwick J as. cotton-manufactarer, do 

Chadwich John, % i oeer, do 

Clegg Richard, hat-manutactm er, do 

Cheetham John, hatter, Hanoter-st. 
Cbadderton J. grbeer, fte, Manehester-st, 

Cle££ Miss, Lower-bent 

: lines, Bsq. do 
Clegg James, Bsq. hatananufae. Qarnfold 

Clegg John, hat-manufacturer. EUttg-st. 
Cle£»r 1 nomas, hatter, near Jackson-pit 
Cheetham Mrs. Fanny, George-st. 
Clegg James, hat-manufacturer, Bamfold 
Campbell W, draper 4 tailor. Market-place 
Clarke J. bookseller & printer, do 
Council Peter, tailor, vVc. do 
Craven John, hatter, Fonntain-st. 
Cawley T. cheese-monger, Henshaw-st. 



Cupit Jam 

Chaddei ib, dealei in old clo 

Cbadwick Rob. ( ockhoui 

Chad w ick John, depute i <Io 

Cook Bettj . — t 

Cbippindale William, Esq. ( I me 

lli-un J. 
( Hegg Arthur, <lo 

Inn, Yorkid] 

Corns Samuel, bi ead baker, < 
Chapman Thoma*, joiner, i — i. 

CuflBODfl T. dra] f, JToi k-hii i 
Cocl on. Rel 
M urnps 
v i\\ idc 
Clo idow) pot-ieller, 4 
Cbadwick R. Black I i-o( m. 

Collinge & Laura- hill. Mount-|»l. 

Dixon Joseph, 

Dal ton W. dep. clei k <?hia] cbapel»do 

Dalton Win. battel ;>it 

Di \on T grocei & tea-dealei , 1 1 

Dalton W. \ eterioai el-«1 

Dobson W, ok 

Duerden James, manul Mount-pi. 

Kanishaw G. cotton-mann I 

FletcherJ.dk A.hat-manof Manchei 
Fletcher Fred, cotton-manufactor 
Fitton John, shoe-warehouse, do 

Fallows John, school-master, do 
France Rev. W., St Domil 



193 

Frith Anth. tailor & draper, Market-place 
Farrand Robt. iron-monger, High-st. 
Fawcett Rev. T. curate of V. C. Church-la. 
Fielding Abel, grocer, &c. Yorkshire-st. 
Fletcher R. Friendship Inn, Oldham-lane 
Fletcher .Is. Uatand Feather, Bottoin-of-m « 
Gibson Thomas, glazier, Jackson ->t. 
Greaves T. book-keeper, Manchester-st. 
Garlick James, house-painter, do. 
Garlic Saxon, stucco-worker, Lord-st 
Gartside Alice, dealer in waste, George-st. 
Gartside Mrs. broker, Market-place 
Gillian Wm. draper, Cheapside 
Gonn Michael, tailor, &c. High-st. 
Grace R. coach proprietor, Church-lane 
Galloway J. -hoe-maker, Mumps-brook 
Gleadhill James, cotton-manufacturer, do 
Greaves Jas. manulaeturei , Bottom-ot-m. 
Hall George, basket-maker, Cannon-st. 

Heywood Thos. glazier, West-st. 

Handlord J. Jolly Hatters, Manchester-st. 
Heap Mrs. Ann, innkeeper, do. 
Heatley Hannah, cotton-manufacturer, do. 
Holt Richard, shopkeeper, do 
Holt James, Bull's Head, George-st. 

Halkyard Fdw. surgeon, do 

Hardman Geo. hatter, Fountain-st. 
Heap James, innkeeper, Cheapside 
Hiiriiins John, shopkeeper, do 
HorrocksJ.Old CheshireCheese, Market-pl 
Horrocks John, jun. butcher, Henshaw-st. 
Hall Samuel, shopkeeper & hatter, do 



194 

Howard) Mrs., butcher, Market-] ' 
Heys Christ clock & watch m;tker, Hi> 
Horrooks Jane, Lamb Inn, <lo 
HodgtOII Abm. May-maker, do 
HallWm. fish-mon^r, do 
Higgfobettoari Jos. attorney, Chun ii^l 
Hindle Henry, reed-maker, Vorkshire- 
Hutton Benj. surgeon. Qre a j OS S t. 
Hill James, Spring-Gardens 

Hartley — , ftsstlsn-o otter, Hadciiffe-st 

Haigb Matthew, manuf. Oldham-lane 

Hilton John, cotton-inanuf. llotlom-of-m. 

Hilton Urn* Rod Lion, d<> 

Hilton Ahin. cotton-manufaotuier, do 

Hilton Jolm, waste doaloi , do 

Jaokson W, maohino-naker^ Manchester s. 

Jackson John, hat manuf. near Bent-hall 

JaOksOn John, \\ hite Lion, V i 

Jackson J. tailoi , at 8 T< :i. do 

Jones Wm. KOtft Kinglet. 

Jonc> Joseph, Eoq* noel morahaat. do 

Jones Joseph, jun. Iwj. h do 

Jones John, gOQti do 

Jackson Matthew gTOOOT , M U el SStl 

Jackson Al>m. rrooer, Cheapskle 
Johnson Thus, book-k 
Jackson POter, dealer in old bonk-, il gh-st. 
Jackson J. clerk of the P, chapel. 
Jackson Ralph, tailor. Back I hapel at 

Jackson K. Hope and Anchor, Maiket-pl. 
Kay Mrs., Punch Bowl, Maiichuster St 

Knott Thomas, warehouse-man, \\ 
Kay Robert, hatter A: grocer. 



195 

Knott Daniel, coal merchant, Khig-st. 
Kershaw Samuel, draper, Cheapside 
Knott Samuel, shopkeeper, do 
Kay Robert, hatter, Spring-street 
Kershaw John, dealer in clothes, &c. 
Kirkham Betty, cotton-spinner, Lord-st. 
Kenyon John, hat-manuf. Spring-gardens 
King George, Yorkshire-st. 
Lees Daniel, Esq. cV sou, c. manuf. Man. -at. 
Lees James, hatter, do 
Lytbgoe John, engineer, Hanover-st. 
Lees Robert, cotton-manuf. West-st. 
Lloyd Edward, shopkeeper, &c. do 
Lilly William, cotton-manuf. R. Kiug-st. 
Lawson Oliver, sawyer, Kintr-st. 
Lees R. twiner, & cotton manuf. Thorp-hill 
Lowe Hamlet, butcher, Market-place 
Lees James. Esq. fustian manuf. ()Idliam-la 
Lowe John, trroccr, Mump>-brook 
Lee*R. ajrent to J. Lyes, Esq. Oldliam-la. 

Lee- J. eom^merchaht, dfcc. Bottom*of-an. 

Lout' Mrs. cotton-manuf. JJumpa-brotfk 
Lees John, shopman, Bottoin-of-mooi 
L«es John, cotton-manuf. Mount-pleasant 
Lees Abraham, «rrocyr, do 
Lees Robert, tiu-plate-worker, do 
Lowe William, wa>te dealer, do 
Mellor J. liquor-merchant, Manchester-sf. 
Mellor J. shop-keeper, Rack Bloom-st. 
Marshall Thomas shopkeeper, West-st. 
Maylor Thomas, blacksmith, do 
Mellor J. currier, corner of King-st. 



196 

Marsland Mrs. hat-manufacturer, Kiog-st. 
Makie John, iron -founder. K i n ir--t . 
Marsland .lame-. Roe-buck Inn, do 
Mills John, cotton-mannfaetqrer, do 
Marsland Benjamin, coal-merchant, do 
Marsland Jonathan, agent, do 

Mills Joseph, saddler, 
Mills Daniel, public baker, Cheaptide 

Mills John, tailor, do 

Mills Henry, painter, Btrker-st. 

Mattlcv Joseph, hatter. n< 
Mayors Philip, Bhopkeepvr, Hen? 

Mellor Mary, diaper. Cock-how 
Mellor John, hoose-painti 

Marlor Samuel, sh< 
Marlor Lnev, Kin 

Morris (o><>. pa? n-brq 

Mellor Johp, shoe-warehouse, H 

Mellor Daniel, hat-manuf. (litiieh-! 

Milne Joseph, Rini Us, c hurch-st 

MeadowQroft,tin-plate*i , Huntc 

Milne , book- ihlre^at 

MOSS Daniel, Dnke of Fork, do 
Mayall Lew in-of-m. 

Nield John, hat-manuf. Ham 
Nelson — , tailor, Mamie- 

Nichols William, tailor, &c, 
Newton John, Wheat-sheaf, West >t. 

Nield William, hatter, Founl 

Nield John, Rope 4 Anchor, Hen-I *f 

Nield Thomas, attl ' >st. 

( tgdep Joseph, book-kr 



J 97 

Orme Daniel, confectioner <ic Market-pl. 
Orme Thomas, watch-maker, Manches. sU 
Ogden John, liquor-merchant, do 
Ogden John, hat-manuf. Marsland-st. 
Ogden Joseph, seeds-man, &c. Cheapside 
Ogden David, saddler, High-st. 
Oikes John, clock & watchmaker, do 
Ogden John, manufacturer, Radcliffe-&i. 
Ormrod Oliver, grocer, &c. Bottom-of-m. 
Overens Richard, butcher, 6l skinner, do 
Piatt James, cotton-manuf. Manchester-st. 
Priestley Jebfi] watse-dealer, George-at. 
Peet Thomas, barber. <Ve. ("liapel-st. 
Prestoa John, travelling draper, High-st. 
Totter John. Oldham earlier, near Row-st. 
Renshaw — , hatter & draper, Manchest.-st. 
Radcliffe Mary Ann, milliner, do 
Radcliffe D. book-keeper, <fcc. West-st. 
Rodger* Joseph, brass-founder, Barn-fold 
Radcliffe Jacob, hat-manufacturer, Bank 
R add life John, do do 

Radcliffe Daniel, do do 

Ka% nor J. (-General Corn wallU, Henshavv-st. 
Radcliffe Henry, hatter, Spring-st. 
Radcliffe Miss, milliner, Lienshaw-st, 
Redfearn Samuel, I if !ier, Market-place 
Rowbottom Wra. iron-moager, High-st. 
Robinson James, shoe-warehouse, do 
Radcliffe Robt. blacksmith, Parliament-st. 
Ridley James, attorney, Spring-gardens 
Riley Jeremiah, blacksmith, Bottom-of-m. 
Stockdale Robt. shopkeeper, Manchester** 

T 2 



198 

•Smethnrst Henry, & -on, haf.tiannf. de 
Smith Samuel, Mack-smith, Manchester-*! 
Skelhorn Henry, hatter, do 

Sedgwick Matthew, ooUon-manuf. do 

Scholfield Ann, Beaver Inn, do 

Schdes Jacob, i 1 1 1 1 . pavei d<> 

Sid d all T. ot ton hand -maker. Hop wood Vo. 
Sraethurtt Samuel, lehooNmaater, Wmt*§L 
Sprowson Thomas, ■hoe-maker, do 

Seholes Jacob, sen. paver, do 

Scholfield John, shopkeeper] ie 
Suthera I Charles, Jotoei . < -t. 

Skelhorn M. Prince of G loc eele r , Market-pi 

Scott Joseph, yeoman, Quakers-row 
Scboien Betty, grocer, Hensha\v-M. 

Stott .1 . agent, d«> 
Seel ThotM dot, George-el 

Smethturi Robert, Dog A Partridge, do 
Smethotsl .lame.-, Innkeeper, Wel aon^t 
Sharpe Joieph, il i Chapel 

Steeple John, butcher, High-at. 
Scholfield John, Shoulder of Mutton, do 
Stopherd Ji ^per, A <■ do 

Scholfield John, wine A ipirit ranlt, do 

Smith John, < . Lord-- 

Siddal] Samuel, cotton-manufaetarer, do 
Senior John, joiner, dte. Back Chapel-et, 
Shepherd Sarah, Yorkshire-st. 
Scholfield Joseph, grocery dto« do 

Senior John, draper, &o« do 

Shakeshaft Thomas, Rod Lion. do 

Slithers W. <V sou. Ih |h e t m O T . Mnmp>-br. 



J99 

Swire ^Thomas, eloper, Bottom-of-m. 
Scholes and sons, hat-manuf. Pleasant-spr* 
Scholes John, c. manuf. Workhouse-croft 
Taylor James, dog- mak er, Manchester-st. 
'] atersall John, cotton-manufacturer, do 
Taylor James, Esq. hat-manufacturer, do 
Taylor Mary, Spread Eagle Inn, do 

Taylor Joseph, skewer-maker Bloom-st. 
Tower Henry, warehouse-man, Bent-hall 
Thomas George, hawker, &c. Wcst-st. 
Tettow Edmund, cotton-manuf. King-si. 
Taylor Thomas, blacksmith, do 
Taylor Thomas, olog^maker, Market-place 
Taylor Mary, miHiner, Fountain-st. 
Taylor John, Esq. hat-m. Henshaw-house 
Tale Robert, grocer, Hiuh-st. 
Turner Thomas, stocking-maker, do 

Taylor Thoinas, joiner, cVc. do 
Taylor John, barber, Chapel-<t. 
Travis John; grocer A: chandler, Churoh-sf. 
Turner John, wheelwright, Bk. Chape!->t. 
Travis John, ju.i. Vorksliire-st 
Taylor Abraham, heald-knitter, &c. do 
Twemlow John, Esq. Wallshaw-mill 
Travli M. tallow chandler, Bottom-of-m. 
Travis John, shopkeeper, do 
Taylor Belt), cotton mauuf. near Vineyard 
Wrigley Rev. Miles. A.M. Manchester-st. 
Whitaker Koht. eotton manufacturer, do 
Whitehead Peter, hat manufacturer, do 
Whitaker Henry, fustian cutter, do 
Ward James, draper, <lo 



■:oo 

Whitaker M. L r ii w id baker, 

Wigoal] .1. Iron-monger A i 

\\<>l i hog- A Duck, B 

\\'m_1"\ I'll ' >t. 

Win 

Wbiteley u illiam, n 

Wolfendei 

Whital 
Wati 

W i i( 

Wo\ I I 

• --!. 

\\ at i. bntctor, «l»> 

Wild James, 

\\ ilsoo J. a \ > Higb 

\Y|;itak< 

W Iillrlir. d T« iho| 

W< do 

\ I ! , l , 1 1 - 

Whitak i lun, 

W xM.il I 

Walkt'i I V 1 1 : : < I. ci 

Woi lb 

Woodfa fa W in. An;.'l luu. I 

Whitehead John, Innke 

VVhitebe li i job r L 

Wiqter B.< \ .¥ . 'etor'i chapel 

Wrighl v» m. NMm 

Watson John, nhoa raabcrr. Hintart lilt 



201 

Whitaker John, cotton manuf. Greaves-st. 
Wright G. jun. draper, &c. Yorks&ire-st. 
Writrht Geo. Hare A: Hounds, do 
Wilson Wm. draper, cVC. do 
Wri-Jry John, grocer <v draper, do 
Walton David, cotton nmnuiao. Honv-st. 
Wilson — , tailor, Mumps-hi .»ok 
Williamson .1. Hulls Head, Hottom-of-m. 
W ood Join i of roads, do 

Wild and Galley, hat-manuf. Hcnshaw-st. 
Yardley Kiehard, cotton-spinner, Heut-hall 



. 



Totrysnir of olduam. 

Ashton rhilip, Innkeeper, Koundthorn 
Aahtoq Ann. cotton maoufactoi .vliill 

Armitage — , shot] keepers Waterhe^-uuU 

Brid< do 

Him tines, Mi'd\ er 

h John, coal merchant, Til-hank 

Booth ( • do. w hetatone-hill 

Beckel John, I 

Buckley) w idow i ii mke^per, M. »oi >de-mil] 
Beckel Thp 

Baitej J^mee, cotton qnaouf. Copster-hill 
Brooks Peter, yrocer, Broadway-lane 
Buckley Rol iiolver-moor 

CoWpei Bern. C< uf. Moorside 

-mill 
•lib 
• 



202 

Dronsfield James, manufacturer, Sholver 
Driver Matthew, carrier, Waterhead-mill 
Duncuft J. Crooked Billet, Hather>haw 
Dalton John, Royal Oak, May^ate-lane 
Earnshaw John, surgeon, (ilodwick-brook 
Grocock Mrs. innkeeper. Hollinwnmi 
Gee & Kershaw, hat manufacturers, do 
Greaves Joseph, innkeeper, do 
Haigh John, manufacturer, Acre-mill 
Harrop Mrs. CopMei -hill 
Harrison John, manufacturer. Hollins 
Holme Rev. (urate of Holiinwood 
Haslam James, innkeeper, HoWni 
Howarth lietty, innkeeper. Watetheefl wM 
Holt — , Roe-DUCk, North-iuoor 
Jackson \vvi(lo\\ | Weetwood Inn 

Lees lamei, Esq. Higher ( teld 

Lees Joseph, Ksq. Clarksfn 

Lees Edward, Esq. Wernith-cottage 

Lee- S. innkeeper. Side-of«lireenac>e>-n) 
Lees Robert, umecr, do 
Lees Thomas, shopkeeper, (iludwick 
Lees Robert, iiuikeepoi, Lov. ei -moor 
Lees John, grocer. BottMI-of-aHM 
Lees Samuel, roller manufacturer, Soho 
Leach Rol)ert, innkeeper, Three-luue-< 
jNIashiter Benjamin, Lsq. Tit-bank 
Milne John, cotton manuf. Stampstone 
Mellor J. cotton manuf. Hitrher-iuoor 
Milne Richard, cotton manuf. Higgiushaui 
Mayall Robert, seu. manufacturer, Bank 
Moss E. cotton manuf. Waterhead-miH 



203 

Mayall Robt. manufacturer, Greenaeres 
Mellor J. Old Navigation Inn, Hollinwood 
Mellor J. cotton manufacturer, Lees-hall 
Nelson Geo. hat manufacturer, Waterloo 
Newton — , innkeeper, Primrose-bank 
Ogden Jas. cotton manufacturer, Hollins 
Ogden Wm. innkeeper, do 
Okell Thos. innkeeper, top of Hollinwood 
Potter T. innkeeper, Glodwick 
Radcliffes Messrs. manuf. Aere-bank 
Royle — , innkeeper, Greenacres-moor 
Race John, do. near Waterhead-mill 
Keholcs John, Loeside 

Scholfield J. sen. coal master, Hollinw r ood 
Scholfield Isaiah, do. Lime-yate 
Scholfield John, do. &c. Cowhill cottage 
Street Samuel, innkeeper, Glodwick 
Taylor John, manufacturer, do 
Taylor J. sen. & jun. corn m. Primrose-b. 
Tetlow John, grocer, Hollinwood 
Tetlow Mrs. shopkeeper, Hollinwood 
Whitehead H. innkeeper, do 
Wroe A Duncuft, cotton manufact. do 
Webb & Walmsley, manufac. & dyers, do 
Winterbottom James, shopkeeper, top of do 
Whitehead Robert, innkeeper, do 
Whitehead J. shopkeeper, Little-moor-lane 
Waring J. & W. manufact. Waterhead-mill 
Waring J. manufacturer, Greenacres 
Wrigl-ey W. coal merchant, Loeside 
Wright — , Hollins 



20 i 



TOWNSHIP OF CBOMPTO& 

Ashton Ann, Duke ol Y« iw 

A ltd re w Ricbai 

Andrew .!. 
Blometej J. ( <>v. lit! 
Butterworth T. mi lurer, m 

Buckley .J. manuf a- ill 

l>U('Ur; 

Bafterwortfa .J. schooli 

CI •<•. Ladej -1 tw 

Cocker Tn 

Cocker John, manuf. do 

Cocker Jai 

CheetbaM Jam r Shaw 

Cocker John, > 

Crompton J 

Cheetham 8 

Cheetli 

Crompton Abrm. Esq. II aipton 

Clegg John, man 

Crompton Abe 

Cocker Abraham, manuf. Loi 

Cocker Philip, mai 

Cocker Jaim man, 1. 

Corker Johd, g< nt. New -kink 

Colllnge widow, farmer, D ■ j hill 
Dyson Wm. shook* N haw 

DufBn James, manut. ClOQgh, near Shaw 
Fox William] manuf. >lia\\->ide 



205 

Farrow John, butcher, Shaw 

France Thomas, shopkeeper, Jubilee 

Greenwood Paul, Hare <5c Hounds, do 

Greaves B. J. White Lion, do 

Gartside J. tinplate-worker, do 

Howarth J. Bull's Head, Thread-mills 

Heap J. near Dogforts-brook 

Hall J. surgeon, Whitefield 

Hilton Abm. veterinary-surgeon, do 

Hilton James, do 

Havlo .lames, manufacturer, Littlewood 

.lone- Joseph, Cowlishaw 

, lone.- 1 James, Royal Oak, do 

Kenworthv John, school-master, Shaw 

Kershaw John, Crompton-fold 

Lord James, farmer, do 

, Queen's Head, Shaw 
Mills Abm. yeoman, do 
Mills Richard, do do 
Mills Jolm, shoe-maker, do 
Mills Lvlmund, manufacturer, Greenfield 
Mellor Thomas, miller, Sfa 
Mellor Robert, Coach & Horses, do 
Mills S. manufacturer, High Crompton 
Mills Jas. col n mei chant, do 

Mills Joshua, yeoman, do 
Mills John, manufacturer, Primrose-hill 
Mills John a Js to u fact. Burnedge 

Mills Robert, man rer, do 

Milne John, y. oman, Whitefield 
Mills Mary, Black Horse, Jubilee 
Mills James, Esq. sen. Park-house 



20<) 
Mills James, inn- gent Park-hoofs 

Mill* John, ( 'lon^li 

Milli Joseph, yeoman, Dog-hill 
Newtoo Joseph, batcher, Shaw 
Nield Daniel, manufacture v-<?dge 

Nield .1 rer, L ■••.'. nud 

Ogden Mary, milliner, Shaw 

( tgden B i, Hey-hill 

Poftifrel Tho». Pin< . Miaw 

Partington Wm. Low< 

Rimmer L< plate mi aw 

Robinson John, >h<»|>: 

Radcliffe Joshua, manuf. High ( i 

Radcliffe Joseph, do <l«» 

Rhodei J. s tins 

Butcliffe W m. I »wluhaw 

Stoti Robt mannfi dto. Miaw 

Stoti Ji 

>tt John, tallow chandler, do 

stott A 1 > p 1 . yeoman, Oreenhill 

siott ciiai i. v Bone, I .: -.no 

Scholfield John, ii ^horo-edge 

Shan Hugh, manuf. Laneside 
Trarh John, >pinner, - 
Travis Bdmund, tallow chandler, do 
Taylor John, yeoman, do 

Thornton Ai>m. smith, do 

Travis William, clerk of Shaw Chapel 
Tra\ Ifl Himij. 8 aw 

Taylor Hrnry, near PfcStOlSS 
Tweedale J. publican, x w^ate-broNT 

Taylor J. farmer, Whitefield 



207 

Travis (widow) carrier, Beal-hey 

Travis Geo. Littlewood 

Wild J. manufacturer, Mfarshes 

Wild Joseph, manufacturer, Cowlishaw 

Wild James, spipner, do, 

Wild Henry, shopkeeper, do 

Wild John, yeoman, do 

Winterbottom Jaa. manuf. near do 

Wild John, yeoman, s ! 

W. i \Vm. Blue Bel!. do 

Wbltaker Jam* son, do 

Wild Uenrt . gent 11 mpton 

Wild David, butcher, Whitefield-hall 

Wild John, Black-clougb 

Wi edei John, \ ook 



TOirssim* OF BOTTOM 

Buckley Jonathan, shopkeeper, Heyside 

Buckley Joseph, do do 

Bon kei J. she i , Royton 

i y Jam*'-. R«»\ ! 

Butterworth Robert, manuf. near Royton 
Bardsley Bdmupd, sen. Thorp 
Bardsley Edmund, jun« do 
Bardsley Lawr« Innkeeper, Mreet-bridge 
Clegg Deborah, Lower-fold or Heyside 
Chapman v reteriu goon, Turf-lane 

Collier Thomas, clerk of Uovtou Chapel 



208 

Cowper Robert, ghopkeeper, Royton 

Cheetham — , do do 

Cowper Win. butcher, do 

Coates \\ id. cV John, <1\< do 

Cbadwick John, mannfact, do 

Chadwfck Tbomarf, do « 1 <> 

E\\\> Robert, ihopkee] er, Efayalde 

Fitton Esmond, n Roytoa 

Gartoide John do 

Gartside Joe. groeer, Lower Hlgginshaw 

Gurfcidn 

Gartaide Hem j , ftbj ley 

Hall Tl aer, '1 arf-lane 

Hardnao Thoe* cooetaMe, Roj 

HoldeD ( reo. lnamihictuit . j too 

Holdeo John, Jo db 

Holden Thomius do do 

Holden Jam*»< • 

Holt Tl. 

Howartb John, miller, Roytoa-wU 

Kershaw Otti* 

Kav John, mai 

Kav Thomaa, d 

Lord John. Ball'a Head, ! ; 

Langhorne R< 

Lewis Jol I miner, '» 

Mellor M. coach | 

Mellor Moees, Bhopkeeper, Reytoo 

Mill- TbOB && 

Meadowcrofl M. do do 

Mills Abm. H> or. do 

Ogden Abm. Earn I ^tfe 



200 

Ogden Wm, Unicorn Iun, Royton 
Ogden Samuel, tailor, &c. do 
Ormrod Henry, butcher, do 
Roberts John, shopkeeper, do 
Robinson Matt, coal works, Street-bridge 
Stock Benj. Lower Heyside 
Btead John, yeoman, Tnrf-lane 
Suteliilo Robert, shopkeeper, Heyside 
Sevill Peter, corn d. Middleton& Rovton 
Smith Heiekiah, dogger, Royton 
Stoker John, blacksmith, do 

BeVIIl James, manufacturer, do 

Sevill Isaac, do do 

Taylor J .•oik-, i , near Heyside 

Taylor Wm. surgeon, Royton 
i John, tailor, &C. 00 

Taylor John, mamif. do 
i«yior, ** m. cotton mamn. qu 
'J iinm Dennis innkeeper, do 
. [or Edmund maniif< do 
Travis — i Innkeep* up, Haggate-lane 

Travis Beiyamln, manut'. near KoUon 

Trai - ( ieorge, do dp 

Travis John, do do 

Tia\ if John, do Thoi 

Taylor — . former, do 

Lor Kalph, MMi. TbctrpOoagb 
Taylor Ralph, jun. do 
Wild John, manufacturer, Beyside 

W interhoUo'.ii A. A J. >hoj>keeprs, do 
Wild Daniel, manufacturer, Moss 
Winterbottom Jo>h. do, Higginshaw 



210 

Wood John, farmer, High Barn 
Wild Edmund, manuf. Koyton-hall 
Whitworth Benj. even ton 

Whitworth — , Hnplate* . <i«> 

Whitaker Henry, manufacturer, do 
Whitworth J. yeoman. Deal Royt 



TOJrys/Iir OF CHADDRRTON* 

Ashton Thuma-. manufacturer. CowUill 

Anderton John. »n-fold 

Ashton Philip, ihop do 

Ashton Richard, Thompson 4 

Becker J. vitriol manufacti xdenton 

Butterworlli Wm. yeoman, N»>d 

Booth (*Hdow | Innkeepei , All 

Collinge Robert, grocer 

Chadwick J. innkeeper. Cow hill 

Collin Joseph, no* 

Qegg Ben), innkeeper, HotliUWO* 

Garliok Win. rrqcer, l 

Holden — , innkeeper, near Street-bridge 

Holt Wm. grocer, 

Hall John, do. Hollinw < 

Moretbn — , paper-maker, Street-briii . 



211 

Ogden John, grocer, Thompson-lane 
Pennington J. innkeeper, White-gate-end 
Smethurst John, manufact. Stockbrook 
Simpson E. fanner, near Chadderton-fold 
Simpson Jas. Roe-buck Inn, Hollinwood 
Scholes Jas. overseer, Butler-preen 
TaylorT. Bowling-green Inn, Hollinwood 
Taylor John, grocar , 
Taylor Win. do. io 

Whitehead Hannah, innkeeper, Lane-end 
Whitehead Jas. innkeeper Nimble-nook 
Whitaker Geo. shopkeeper. Alder-root 
Wood J. maiiut. Bottom of North-moor 



Tin: knd. 



Prinl CUfke, .M.trkct-placu, Oldham. 





r: nn.tr. I. 




Page 
17. 
4t, 
47, note. 




kinwvke 


r«4d 

I'll!*. 

form. 
1 

• mmmimykm 



6. 



? . after mailer, r. (temp. Chu 

18<\ «3, 

4, t N mitted, after Uwwordi " be 

It is potaible to Irare tl*> de*eer' 
. ol.lli.iiii Mi li M ». and a iewale, wWo«« 
n.nruc vrv ,!«» n«»i insert), (rot aimUt Radrtife, Eat). 

In Am r dworUu, p. 69, far John CmA- 

\\ oi tli, aged 86, rnd 68. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



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